Gratitude – The Way Back From The Desert of Discontentment

Valerie Cullers 46 Comments

pexels-photo-459319.jpegIt usually starts with a thought. The thought flies through my brain so fast, I cannot even tell you what it was. A few minutes later, another one comes; it lingers a bit and I focus on it. The thought usually starts with some form of “You don’t, You can’t or You aren’t.” The thoughts keep coming and if I dwell on them; I begin to feel discontented with my life.

The negative feelings usually follow the negative thoughts. If I allow myself to think and feel them for any length of time; I begin walking in the Desert of Discontentment. I don’t go there very often, but when I do, I begin to think about my life choices. What if I had made different choices? What would my life be like? Would it be better? If I let my mind go down that path for any length of time, I walk even further into the Desert of Discontentment.

Usually after about an hour of walking in the Desert of Discontentment, I start to look around. It is dry and hot in the desert and very little vegetation grows there. I find myself unhappy and I don’t want to stay there any longer. I turn around and head back the way I came. I look for a landmark to guide me back and then I finally see it.

On the edge of the desert, there is a small hill named Gratitude. If I keep my eyes on the hill, I can find my way out. With each step, I think about what I am grateful for: my home, my family, my health and a hundred little things I quit being thankful for the moment I stepped into the desert.

My hike out usually takes less time than my hike in did. After a few moments of focusing on the things I am grateful for, my discontentment begins to leave. I can see my life and my circumstances from a more positive perspective and I can find my way back from the Desert of Discontentment. And I am always truly grateful for that.

“In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1 Thess. 5:18   NKJV

46 thoughts on “Gratitude – The Way Back From The Desert of Discontentment”

  6. This is excellent! I need to remind myself daily to be grateful. I’m embarrassed to say that, but it is something I have to work at. I like your image of the desert of discontent and how to get out, one step, one word of gratitude at a time. Love it!

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    • You don’t need to be embarrassed to say it…I have to work at it too! Anyone who is a glass is half-full kind of a person does! It’s how we learn to do better! Thanks for the openness and the comment! ❤ ❤ ❤

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  9. Valerie, I loved this! I thought your illustration was so fitting, and it helps, too, to picture something like that when we are starting down that path of discontentment. I think we all need to be reminded, at times, to look at what all we have been blessed with and to be grateful, so thank you for this reminder.

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  11. for a long time I divided my thoughts between negative and positive, perhaps deriving much to discontent. the time advanced, I have matured and today I calmly thank God for the walk of life that I travel with more discernment and conscience and despite all the evils that humanity commits and suffers I still believe in a moment of peace and harmony.

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  12. “Desert of Discontentment” is like the perfect metaphor! I try to add Gratitude to my BuJo. sometimes I don;t call it exactly that but something positive about each day, especially hard days . Great post!

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  13. So true Valerie…

    We all travel through the desert at different stages of life, some more than others. Stages can last years or just mere minutes. It’s up to an individual to climb out of that desert, but some can’t manage, as it is too overwhelming. And so, depression sets in. It’s tragic that today, there’s so much of it around, we are definitely doing something fundamentally wrong.

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    • Thank you for your insightful comment. It is interesting that the higher a society lives on the economic index, the more depression it has. That should surely be an indicator to us that materialism cannot buy wealth. As people work more, children are disconnected from their parents, and I think it starts there. Then the disconnection continues as people become so busy they don’t have time for deep personal relationships. Lots of causes, no easy answers!

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  14. Great post Valerie! Gratitude is so important. “Keep our eyes on the hill” is good advice. When I wake up, I open my eyes and thank God for eyesight, I don’t ever want to take for granted something so wonderful! God is good … all the time and there is a mountain of blessings to be thankful for! 🙂

    Give thanks with a grateful ❤️
    ❤️carmen

    https://fashionableover50.wordpress.com

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  15. Gratitude Hill is surely on every map yet not everyone can visit there as readily as you and I, sweet friend.
    Disillusioned thoughts have a habit of being accompanied by a soundtrack of somber ruminating …. and one can listen for a while, but eventually gratitude is a glorious path and soothes from the inside out.
    Thank you for this valuable post! 💜🦋

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  16. It is perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I want to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!

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  18. Hi Valarie, I see this is an older post but I understand why you reposted it. There is much wisdom in this post and I think I will take the liberty of reposting it too because it speaks of words that are not written, yet conveyed. I am reminded that God sees our end from our beginning and when we follow His consul and ways, that wisdom and goodness becomes so much more meaningful and self evident, as we approach our end. Excellent post and thank you! Blessings.

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  23. Playing the “What if” game is never positive as the premise is that if you had done X, Y, and Z things would be better. The truth is that they could very well be worse! I am satisfied that God has put me right where I need to be.

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