I’m linking this up over at 152 Insights to My Soul.

From Kristin: #ThreeWordWednesday is simple, really. I know we’re all busy with life and kids and jobs and parents and friends and church and whatever else it is that occupies our time. Some weeks I’m not sure what my post will be about, but knowing people will show up here on Wednesdays is good motivation to write something.#ThreeWordWednesday is a chance to pause and hear God. Sum up what you’re hearing in three words. Those three words are enough. But stories are good too.

Discontentment, not Discouragement

On Sunday our pastor preached about not putting God in a box, not settling for something smaller than what He wants for you, and how discontentment can be a good thing. 

What? Aren’t people constantly talking about being content with what they have? That happiness isn’t found in things or in situations but from Christ? 

Yes, true happiness is found in Christ. But it’s still possible to be discontent even when we know him. To be unhappy with our job, our health, our finances. But the key is to not let discontentment turn into discouragement.

It’s easy to dislike our job and feel discouraged that this is just the way it will be forever. It’s easy to continue eating unhealthy and ignore any type of exercise and feel discouraged about our clothes not fitting and the number on the scale being higher than it should be. It’s easy to see the bank balance dropping and the bills stacking up and keep reaching for the credit card. 

Discouragement will do nothing. Discouragement is giving up and resigning yourself to a life of misery and a “woe-is-me” attitude. Discouragement is living life as Eeyore. Blech. 

Discontentment, on the other hand, can be helpful. The key is discontentment being used as fuel to DO SOMETHING about the situation. Send out resumes and apply for new jobs if your current one is causing problems in your life. Start eating healthier and find a way to get a little physical activity if you want your clothes to fit better. Make a budget, cut out luxuries, and throw out the credit cards to get your finances under control. 

Think of Moses and the Israelites trying to flee Egypt. God told Moses in Exodus 6 that he had prepared a place for them. Moses repeated this to the Israelites and their response? “They did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor” (Exodus 6:9). They hated their situation but since they couldn’t fathom things changing it clearly couldn’t. No faith that things could get better. I don’t want or need that attitude in my life!

This doesn’t need to apply to just less than awesome situations either. Do you have a dream for your life? Something you’ve always wanted to do? I know I sure do. Lots of them. But if I sit here and twiddle my thumbs and never make any moves to reach those dreams they will always remain dreams. Even the littlest of baby steps are better than continuing to stay put. 

Are you experiencing a not so great time right now? Not liking how things are going? What are you going to do about it?

Have a big dream you want to acheive? What good are dreams if you don’t go chase them? Make a plan and start acting on it. 

Don’t let discontentment turn to discouragement.