There are seasons in our walk with God when we feel a stirring in our spirit—a restlessness, an uneasiness, a dissatisfaction—not from rebellion or offence, but from what I would call holy discontent. It is the feeling that things are not as they should be, that there is a gap between where the church is and where God desires it to be. If you are experiencing this, you are not alone. Many have felt this same stirring throughout church history, even in Scripture.

However, how we handle holy discontent determines whether we become a voice of revival or a source of division.

1. Discern the Source of Your Discontent

Not all discontent is from God. Some discontent comes from our flesh, personal preferences, impatience, or even an offence we have not fully processed. Before acting, take time to discern where this restlessness is coming from. Ask yourself:

  • Is my concern rooted in a genuine burden for God’s will?
  • Is it aligned with Scripture and the heart of God?
  • Is this about God’s Kingdom, or is it about my personal expectations?
  • Am I more upset because my preferences are not being met, or is there a real spiritual gap that needs to be addressed?

Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to search your heart.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24, NKJV).

2. Bring It to Prayer First, Not to People

One of the greatest mistakes people make when feeling discontent with the church is immediately venting to others. The danger of sharing with the wrong people is that instead of seeking a solution, we spread negativity, and what could have been a God-given burden turns into murmuring and division.

I have personally experienced times when I felt strongly about certain things in the church, and I wanted to approach my pastor about them. But before I did, I realized that sometimes my flesh was unsettled—it wasn’t just about the church needing change; it was about me wanting recognition or a position.

I had to acknowledge that promotion does not come from human beings. It is God who raised leaders in His time. And so, before bringing anything to my pastor, I brought it before God. I allowed God’s dealings in my heart and, in prayer, wrestled with my pride and ego. There were times when, after truly praying, I realized that my issue was not as urgent as I had thought. Other times, I still felt led to bring it up, but I made sure that my heart was right.

Nehemiah felt holy discontent when he heard about the broken walls of Jerusalem, but he did not start by complaining to the people. Instead, he fasted, prayed, and sought the Lord (Nehemiah 1:4-11).

Before you talk to others, bring it to God. Let Him refine your burden in the place of prayer.

3. Align Your Heart with Submission and Humility

How you respond to holy discontent reveals the posture of your heart. If the enemy can turn your burden into pride, frustration, and a critical spirit, he will render you ineffective.

Even if your concerns are valid, humility should always guide your response. You can be right about something but be wrong in handling it. It is possible to see a real issue but destroy unity by addressing it in the wrong spirit.

I learned that in all my dealings, I must remain blameless. It is not enough to have a good point—I need to have the right attitude. When I approached my pastor about certain matters, I reminded myself that I must stay submitted and leave the final decision to him.

David was anointed king but still served under Saul. He was not blind to the issues in Saul’s leadership, but he honoured the process and trusted God’s timing.

At times, I noticed that my behaviour became passive. I did not outright rebel, but my attitude became disengaged. I realized that this, too, was a form of disloyalty. Even though I was outwardly compliant, inwardly, I was not in agreement, and this affected my spirit.

Hebrews 13:17 reminds us:

“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.”

I had to repent and seek forgiveness because if my actions or attitude caused grief to my pastor, it was not beneficial for him or for me.

Submission is not just about outward obedience; it is about having a right heart before God.

4. Speak to the Right People in the Right Way

If your burden persists after prayer, and you believe God is leading you to address the issue, do so biblically. Jesus taught a principle of direct communication:

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother” (Matthew 18:15, NKJV).

If your concern is about leadership direction, approach your pastors or leaders with respect and a heart of humility. Instead of saying, “This church needs to change,” say, “I’ve been praying about this, and I wanted to hear your thoughts. How can I help?”

5. Ask Yourself: Am I Willing to Be the Answer?

God often stirs holy discontent in people He is calling to be part of the solution. Many people feel dissatisfied with the state of the church but are unwilling to labour for a change. Consider that God may be calling you to step up and serve if you see a need.

Instead of asking, “Why is no one doing this?” ask, “Lord, how can I serve?”

6. Trust God’s Timing

Not every burden is meant to be acted on immediately. Sometimes, holy discontent is a sign that God is preparing you for future leadership. Joseph had a vision of leadership but had to endure years of servanthood and trials before stepping into his calling.

God sees what you see. He cares about the church even more than you do. If something needs to change, trust that He is working, even when you do not see immediate results.

“To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, NKJV).

7. Guard Your Spirit and Stay Planted

The enemy would love to use holy discontent to pull you away from the very place where God wants to use you. If you are not careful, you may find yourself isolated, bitter, and critical—unable to receive from God because your heart has become hardened.

Stay connected. Keep your heart tender. Keep serving, even when things are not ideal.

8. Pray Until Something Happens

When I struggled with holy discontent, I had to learn that prayer is not a one-time event—it is a process. I had to pray until something happened.

• Sometimes, prayer changed the situation.

• Sometimes, prayer changed my perspective.

• And sometimes, prayer changed me.

If it is a genuine need, make sure that at the end of the day, you stay submitted and leave the decision to your pastor. Pray until something happens.

Holy Discontent Should Lead to Holy Action

If you feel holy discontent, it means God is stirring something in you. But the question is: Will you handle it in a way that builds up the church, or will it become a tool for division?

Let your discontent drive you to prayer, humility, and service. Instead of leaving the church frustrated, ask God how He wants to use you as part of the solution. Instead of criticizing, commit to being a faithful labourer.

The church is not perfect—but neither are you. And yet, God is still using it to fulfil His purpose. Be faithful where you are, and God will open the right doors for change in due time.