Finding Joy in Discontentment

I wanted to take the time to share a lesson I learned this past summer and hopefully encourage those of you who are walking through a season of discontent. Maybe it’s a job you hate, a marriage that has grown cold, a club, sport, or activity that you feel is more of a chore than anything else?  You dread getting up in the morning to face it. Maybe God has given you a dream or calling but yet you are in a season of waiting? You are trying to get there but you just keep failing to reach it. This blog is for you. 

I originally was supposed to intern at a really cool local steel mill this summer. (Side note, I currently work for the steel mill now and this blog is backdated by several months.) Due to unfortunate circumstances, it didn’t work out and I instead took an internship at a local company, working in industrial engineering. I quickly learned, that industrial engineering is not the career path for me! By week one I already was dying to quit for several reasons. The main reason however was that the work was tedious, felt demeaning, and unfulfilling. I struggled to find motivation to get up in the morning each work day, despite the fact that I had amazing coworkers and a boss that was a great mentor. Through those three months God taught me several incredible lessons

1. MAKE AN ACTIVE DECISION EACH DAY TO CHOSE JOY

 I get it, you feel stuck in a situation that is less than ideal. Maybe you have friends or colleagues that you feel are better off than you. 1 Corinthians 4:7 says that comparison is the thief of joy.

Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

We have to choose each day regardless of the circumstances to be joyful. This joy is our literal testimony to the lost and will make you stand out to unbelievers. Joy in times of hardship is so attractive to others. 

INVEST IN OTHERS AROUND YOU

Despite the fact that you may hate the situation you are in God has placed you in this position for a specific purpose. You are surrounded by people who need the hope of God inside you. The greatest commandment in the bible is love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). If you are in a toxic situation my heart goes out to you! That’s extremely tough!! Let me just encourage you that choosing to love those toxic coworkers is impacting them more than you could possibly imagine.

Luke 6:27-28 But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.

PRESS INTO OPPORTUNITIES GOD HAS SET UP FOR YOU

 Don’t let where you want to go, distract you from what God is doing right here right now. 

In the times that we are in those in-between stages or deserts/dry lands it’s easy to just focus solely on the future that you want. But God is working in you during the waiting. Stay present in the now!

David faithfully went back to the pastures and humbly tended the sheep right after he was  anointed king. He could have easily thrown a fit and complained about being thrown right back into a menial unfulfilling circumstance. Yet he was humble and served well while waiting for his promise to come to fruition. Many people waiting on God in the bible to bring what he promised into being, And God was faithful to do so in his perfect timing.

STAY ROOTED IN THE WORD

Hebrews 4:12 The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Matthew 4:4 Man cannot live on bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is God breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that every man of God may be competent and equipped for every good work.

And I could go on and on….

Scripture is powerful, the bible literally dubs it our sword. Learn it so you can use it when fear and doubt and discontentment creep in.

FIND AND CREATE SPACE FOR LITTLE MOMENTS: WORSHIP

Each day while I worked at that job I hated I carved out time for the Lord. The first 15  min after I clocked in I would pray and have quite time. I listened to praise and worship music while working on spreadsheets. And at 3pm each day my best friend/fellow coworker (Gadiel) and I would spend time talking about what God was doing in our lives . Those moments became my refuge and space to recharge from a trying day. I don’t think I would have found joy in the midst of my contentment if I didn’t have that time to recognize God and glorify his goodness.

In Mark 1:35-39 Jesus models the practice of retreating to a quiet place in order to pray, seek God, and to recharge. If he who knew no sin needed this then how much more do we need it?

Ask yourself and God how you can be present despite your circumstances. Make an active choice to choose joy every day, Invest in the people around you, stay rooted in the word, & find and create space for little moments to worship.