“For the wrath of man shall praise You; With a remnant of wrath You will gird Yourself” (Psalm 76:10 NASB). “Human defiance only enhances your glory, for you use it as a weapon” (Psalm 76:10 NLT).
By John David Hicks
Bill Hybels in his book Holy Discontent tells of a Popeye Moment. He says: “Most of us probably grew up watching Popeye the Sailor Man. Do you remember Olive Oyl, the special girl in his life? Popeye’s demeanor was usually calm and collected. But if something happened that would potentially harm Olive, he exploded. He would shout, “That’s all I can stand, and I can’t stands no more!” Then he popped open his can of spinach, ate it, and became an unstoppable force for good, each time saving Olive Oyl from her distress.”
“The most inspired, motivated, and driven people I know are the ones who live their lives from the energy of their holy discontent. They have a constant awareness that what is wrecking them is wrecking the heart of God” says Hybels.
When you like Popeye can “stands it no more,” you have reached your Popeye moment. This inner frustration can be used by God to launch you into a kingdom role and answer your prayers. You can make a difference in your world. I believe your Holy Discontent starts with taking it to God in prayer. God will show you the opportunities and make you “more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Romans 8:37).
When you are discontented over a situation, God is also discontented. When you hurt, God feels it (Acts 9:4). You are his child. This discontent will motivate you to attempt something that you would have never tried before. It will release the grace and power of God that is within you (1 John 4:4). Your “Holy Discontent” will convince you that things don’t have to remain the same. God and you can make a difference (Romans 8:31).
When Goliath challenged the Israeli army, God never intended for Goliath to win. The army and King Saul were filled with fear for 40 days. But God was waiting for someone to step up and say, “I can’t stands it no more.” David experience “Holy Discontent” and was moved to step up and fight the giant. He needed only one stone for Goliath; but he took five stones because Goliath had four “big” brothers. David said in 1 Samuel 17:46–47, “This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I’ll strike you down and cut off your head. Today I will give the carcasses of the Philistine army to the birds of the air and the beasts of the earth, and the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel. All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the LORD saves; for the battle is the LORD’s, and he will give all of you into our hands.” God will use your “Holy Discontent” to create a vision so you can be a part of the solution.
Later when David was King, he had problems with people. In Psalm 27:1–3 he said, “The LORD is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.”
When you pray and ask God to stir your soul beyond your problems and self-interest you will see His grace and power. Your “Holy Discontent” will cause you to take the risk of faith out of your comfort zone into the realm of making a difference in your world. God is looking for a David, a person just like you that is discontented with the way things are going.
Read the book summary of Holy Discontent from:
http://www.christianbooksummaries.com/library/v3/cbs0344.pdf