7 Verses for when you are Struggling with Discontentment

Confession: This past month I have been extremely discontent. And the worst part is, I didn’t even realize I was discontent until I was knee-deep in the quick sand of envy and longing, trapped, unable to move.

I felt like I was suffocating. I was unable to let go of my discontentment and move on with my life- to do the things God called me to do. I felt unworthy to encourage others to be content, when I myself was struggling.

Finally, late last Tuesday, I opened my Bible to see if I could find any rays of hope that could destroy the chains of discontentment that were choking me. And as the Sword of Truth revealed where I had fallen short, it offered me hope for redemption.

I wondered why I had waited so long to turn to the Lord for freedom, but then I realized my own stubbornness had kept me from this freeing breath of fresh air. I didn’t want to admit I had fallen. I didn’t want to ask for help. I wanted to free myself on my own.

But it wasn’t possible.
I need Jesus to free me.

So as I discovered verse after verse that dealt with contentment, I began to write them down on notecards. Then, as I continue to begin to feel discontent, I whip out my notecards and reread the scripture that battles this state of being.

{I’m starting to memorize the verses, but that hasn’t been completely accomplished yet.}

So in case you ever struggle with discontentment, I decided to share the verses I found with you.

Hopefully they will help you as they helped me. :)

For when you are discontent…

(All verses are taken from the English Standard Version.)

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are of earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
-Colossians 3:1-4

This verse encouraged me to focus on Jesus and not to worry about the passing things of this word. Guys, beauty, education, work, all of these things fade, but Jesus never goes away.

I also really like how this verse points out that Jesus is our life, and apart from Him we have no life.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.
-Titus 2:11-12

God’s grace teaches us to say no to our worldly passions. It’s only through Him that we can be content.

But godliness with contentment is great gain.
-1 Timothy 6:6

Short and sweet. Straightforward. Easy to remember… but sometimes hard to live out.

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 
-Matthew 22:37

The greatest commandment of all. Simply put, there can be no room for idolatry in our lives.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
-Ephesians 4:1-3

This is how we are to live. We are to encourage others and love them. We are to stay unified with our fellow believers, but how can we do that if we’re swimming in envy of them?

If we are discontent and long for what one of our brothers or sisters in Christ have, then how can we encourage them and maintain unity?

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
-Philippians 4:8

I don’t know about you, but whenever I’m discontent, my thoughts do not match the standards listed in the verse above. When I read this verse, it helps me catch the discontent thoughts and replace them with something that does match this standard.

Flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
-2 Timothy 2:22

We are to turn from our discontentment and pursue the virtues listed above.

I hope these verses encourage you to turn away from discontentment as they do for me.

If you’re struggling with discontentment, then I urge you to write these verses down somewhere where you’ll have easy access to them whenever the temptation to be discontent sets in.

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Posted by Kara Beth & filed under Devotionals. This post has 2 comments.