I know that there are a lot of unanswered questions about the two years that my family spent away from Bible Fellowship Church. I would like to share with you what the Lord has taught me about being discontent.

Discontentment is one of Satan’s most powerful tools. It seems that there is nothing as effective in undermining the fellowship of the body. After attending Bible Fellowship for many years, I felt dissatisfied and I blamed my church for my discontent. Satan convinced me that our church no longer met my needs, I was frustrated because I was not inspired by the service, and I was concerned that there was not enough for the youth. In my discontentment I became convinced that I could find fulfillment in a different church. I was wrong. All churches have problems and Satan uses discontentment to undermine all churches. I thought that by changing churches I would find one with strengths where my church was weak. The new church may have had strengths, but I didn’t realize how much I would miss my church’s strengths. I didn’t know that I would long for my old church family. I also became aware of the fact that our new church was not perfect, that it had problems. Satan was using discontentment to undermine that church as well.

The Lord showed me that I needed to take responsibility for my Church and my own spiritual growth. A church is the people and each person is equally responsible for the growth and well being of the church. When I was discontent with my church I was giving Satan a foothold. The real blame needed to fall on myself.

Finally the Lord gave me some trials and through these trials he showed me how much I needed my old church family.

I was very blessed because even though I had turned my back on my church family, they were there when I needed them. Just as the prodigal son was welcomed home by his Father, so did my church family welcome me home.

As individuals we are responsible for where we are spiritually. We will get out of worship, only what we put into it. A very precious person always says, ”You never grow as much spiritually as you do when you are preparing to teach”. If you feel stagnant spiritually, maybe it is time to teach a Sunday School class or lead a Bible Study.

It is easy to blame your church when your spiritual flame burns low, but my Father made me realize that I was not allowing him to be the source of my joy and that is why I was uninspired. I was also allowing Satan to use discontentment to drive me away from my church family. I now know that the Lord may lead me to another church, but I don’t think he will use discontentment to drive me away from this church.

Now I try to recognize discontentment for what it is. I try to look at the people and situations at church through eyes of love. I recognize that when I am critical, I am setting myself up for discontentment. I also realize that the grass always seems to be greener on the other side of the fence, but that with some water, fertilizer and effort on my part, the grass can be just as green right where I am.

Your Sister in Christ,

Kathy Drewitz