When Discontent Is An Alert

Noticing the nudge, adjusting your pace, and being held in the ordinary

When multiple inputs converge on a similar theme, I take notice. Recently, I have been noticing discontent peeking in my window, begging to be welcomed in.

Perhaps discontent isn’t a flaw to fix but a dashboard light—inviting me to notice, name, and adjust.

Recently, I met with my in-real-life Substack friend, Rachel. How wonderful to find a kindred soul who also often thinks too much. She wrote a piece this week that stopped me in my tracks.

The idea of monotony is often viewed in a negative light.
Down with the monotony.
We need excitement, variation, constant entertainment, stimulation.
Routine is limitation.
- Rachel Vick

Why do I resist seasons of calm, normality, recovery, or healing? In the middle of sudden calamity or increased demands on our energy, time, or other resources, I regularly long for escape, peace, and tranquility. But when I feel “stuck” in the humdrum, rinse and repeat days, I’m not happy there either.

The beauty hidden in monotony

Last week, my dear Emily P. Freeman shared eight statements that can bring clarity to situations and seasons when we throw our hands up in the air and feel like giving up. She refers to times in our lives when we are exasperated. She asks, “What is ‘this’?” and “What does ‘doing’ actually mean?”

"I Just Can't Do This Anymore"

As I pondered her questions, my own personal question rose up, surprising me.

Am I having difficulty adapting?

Last Friday, we chose one of our bucket list items and headed out for the day. Hungry Horse Dam is about 20 minutes from our house, at the beginning of a 28-mile-long reservoir. The road around it is over 100 miles, but with all the stops to gasp at the mind-blowing awesome vistas, we were gone eight hours.

I just about didn’t go.

“There’s too much to do.”
”It’s not very sunny.”
”I don’t have anything to pack for lunch.”

I fought against the tether to my to-do list. A deep breath released the pressure of productivity from my throat.

Why in the world do I live here if I don’t partake in the beauty surrounding me?

GOLDEN YELLOW TAMARACKS FOR DAYS.

At one point, tears filled my eyes, and I literally could not breathe:

• The majesty of the snow-covered mountains that are so dear to me.

• The glowing, golden dome we traveled beneath.

• The incredible, pervasive smell of pines and dusty leaves, and the clear, smooth water that I longed to touch.

We barely saw another person the entire day.

In small group, we longed for clarity. The young moms wondered if they were leading, controlling, or parenting? The single women questioned their calling - were they supposed to make a change? The older moms struggled with how much rescuing, helping, or support to give their adult children.

I remembered my friend asking me, “What if one of your adult children faced a job loss, or a divorce, or a significant health issue? Would you let them move in with you? For how long?”

My insides were like scrambled, jiggly eggs. I desperately wanted to affirm the young mom, to help the single women find a mate, the fixer in me alive and well.

---

Monotony.
Exasperation.
Avoidance.
Confusion.

Discontent can be a signal that invites us to modify our pace, relish the ordinary, give ourselves permission to seek enjoyment, or ask probing questions to get to the real cause of our dissatisfaction.

Discontent is not the enemy, but it can most definitely be an alert that needs attention.

For me, commitment to consistent participation in a faith community is paramount.

• When I forget who I am, worship turns my heart back to my Father, whose unconditional love covers and calms me.

• When I squint to try to see through the fog, a fellow believer sits beside me, her heart knowing mine, parting the clouds and offering encouragement.

• When circumstances are beyond my control, returning to God’s promises grounds me.

  • I am with you.

  • I am faithful.

  • I will care for you.

  • I will bless you.

Your turn:

• Where are you feeling irritation, exhaustion, or discombobulation?

• Can you name the changes, season of life, or decisions that need to be addressed?

• Would a daily practice of recording gratitude help to alter your perspective and provide grounding?

For the next seven days, try this exercise:

Each night, record three lines: Nudge, Adjustment, and Gratitude. Name the emotion, the rub, the ache. Take one small step toward stretching, growing, or changing. Finally, count your blessings, focusing your heart and mind on what your hands already hold.

Here’s a line from my journal yesterday:

Nudge: I’m feeling restless
Adjustment: A 15-minute walk tomorrow, no matter the weather
Gratitude: Our neighbor, A., dropped in for an impromptu visit

A prayer:

Father, you have given me so much, and the world tells me it isn’t enough. Show me the generous blessings in my life. Lord, help me heed the holy nudge to address little seeds of agitation before they grow. Remind me of your promises, your faithfulness, your presence. Spirit, guide me and provide insight into the lies I am believing, whether they are telling me I am not enough or that I’m doing something wrong. Speak loudly and clearly as you lead me into a joy-filled, content posture. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Share one small, brave yes in the comments - what did you notice? What did you change? What blessings did you observe?

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