Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines suffering as: “The bearing of pain, inconvenience or loss; pain endured; distress, loss or injury incurred; as suffering by pain or sorrow; sufferings by want or by wrongs.
Discontentment is different. Discontentment is an ‘unquietness’ of heart. It is bitter, even spilling out of one’s soul. Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines discontentment as: “The state of being uneasy in mind; uneasiness; inquietude; discontent.”
Can we be in both states at once? I think we would agree we can. Can we have one without the other? Sure! Right? I can suffer and still be content. I can also be discontent and not be suffering. Evaluating our state can be very helpful as we pray with a heart that is struggling to be quiet due to discontentment. That is one of the marks of a godly woman: a quiet heart.
BUT WHAT IF YOU JUST DON’T WANT TO BE QUIET BECAUSE YOU JUST WANT TO GO TO TARGET AND SHOP IN THOSE LITTLE BINS IN THE ENTRANCE OF THE STORE????
Discerning what your state is will be very helpful as you cry out to the Lord. I sure hope you are crying out to the Lord? Here’s the thing. If we do not examine ourselves regularly (Lamentations 3:40; 1 Corinthians 11:28; and especially 2 Corinthians 13:5) testing our desires and thoughts against Scripture we will fall into sin. During this time, sister, the sin of discontentment is a REAL possibility! Stay in the Word not books about the Word – the Word.
There are many who are suffering deeply right now. When discontentment is added to that it is difficult to pray reasonably for your suffering. The noise, the sin, of discontentment is a cement wall between you and God. The problem is, hearts full of discontentment lie to us. Those hearts tell us that if we are suffering it is ok to be discontent. Ladies that is just not true. Confess that! Suffering without discontentment is beautiful time of sanctification.
God has highly exalted [Jesus] and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or questioning, (Numbers 14) that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…”
(Philippians 2:9-15)
Being satisfied with where God has us (Lamentations 3:37-38) right now blesses him so much. But if we are discontent, we believe in our hearts that God is not giving us what we rightly should have (Psalm 37:4-5, 145:16, 119:33-40).
If you are suffering, do not waste that time. You have an opportunity to bless the Lord by being content in your suffering. You can shine as a light in your own little ‘at home’ world. Are you with your family? Be honest. Confess to them you’re discontent and then dig into that passage of Scripture above and work out your own salvation with fear and trembling and your son, daughter, mother or husband.
Are you alone – you suffer in front of an audience of One. He is there to help you as you confess your discontent and work to please him in the midst of these times.
If you need more help. If the struggle is too hard – email me – (slscrufari@gmail.com). I’m actually getting quite savvy with the whole Zoom or FaceTime thing. Don’t allow yourself to suffer alone: remember we were designed to live in community: he is our Father.