Dealing With DiscontentmentНамуна

If there is one person in the Bible who could relate to this kind of discontentment, it would be Joseph. Joseph had a dream that he shares with his brothers that he would one day rule over them. Now, I understand that this is a very prideful thing to remark to your older brothers, but follow me. This same Joseph, who has a God-given dream, is eventually left for dead by his brothers, sold into slavery, and thrown into prison following false accusations by Potiphar’s wife. To this point, this doesn’t look much like ruling over anything.

While in prison, Joseph meets a baker and butler who have dreams. The same Joseph who had a dream that he has not yet seen come to fruition is tasked with interpreting the dreams of others and watches what he has interpreted come to pass for them. It wasn’t so good for the baker but stay with me. The butler’s dream results in his release from prison, and Joseph tells him to remember him. The Bible says nearly two years passed before the butler remembers him.

In short, Joseph is eventually remembered by the butler when Pharaoh is searching for someone to interpret his dreams. When called upon, Joseph interprets the dreams of Pharaoh and is placed in charge of ensuring humanity is saved by being over the resources and eventually saves his family, including the brothers who left him for dead. When recalling the events with his brothers, Joseph states, “What the enemy meant for evil, God meant it for good.”

Throughout this journey, the Bible never mentions Joseph complaining or feeling discontent once. I find it hard to believe that if I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t have complained once. I can imagine being in prison day after day, wondering where God is and perhaps losing sight of the dream God gave. I imagine inner conversations after a while being something like this. “I shouldn’t even be here. God, why do I have to speak over everyone else’s dream and yet haven’t seen mine?”

As previously mentioned, the enemy would love for your discontentment to keep you from experiencing the life that God has for you. It can be hard to go through life having unfulfilled expectations and not seeing the life you thought you would have. Perhaps you believed you would be married by now, yet you are still single. Or maybe you went to college thinking that once you got that degree, you could obtain a high-paying job, yet you can’t even obtain employment in your field. I want to encourage you that God wastes nothing.

Maybe the process doesn’t look promising right now, and you may have difficulty finding God in the middle of the situation. However, I encourage you to change your perspective and give God glory in the middle of the process. Joseph gave God glory when interpreting the dreams, highlighting that God gives him the ability to interpret the dreams. He did not allow any discontentment to keep him from doing what God had gifted him to do. You may not see it yet but trust that the God who gave you the dream is faithful to see it through. Joseph provides an example for us all to glean from. Despite the discontentment you may currently be experiencing, continue to give God the glory and trust that He will provide.

Prayer: Lord, help me to trust You even when I can’t trace You. Help me remember that You order my steps and light my path. Lord, I believe that my discontentment is not an indication of my destiny but an opportunity to praise You. Thank You for turning what the enemy meant for evil for my good. In Jesus' name, amen.