Dealing With Discontented People

"There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” - Psalm 4:6

Have you ever dealt with someone that is impossible to please? I would say almost all of us have. In fact, some of us are probably that person right now! And others may be married to that person (please don't tag your spouse). When dealing with people who are disgruntled, you can feel like there is nothing you can do right.

David here is dealing with people he cannot seem to please. They are saying to him, show us something good! What they have seen so far from David has left them unimpressed. He's now being commanded to do better. David's in a tough place. Not only is he surrounded by his enemies, but now his followers are feeling disenfranchised. What's a leader to do?

First, I think David is doing the only thing he knows to do, which is to cry out to the Lord. In other words, when you are trying to lead or deal with discontented people, pray. Spend time in pray for that person. Take time to pray to God and ask for him to reveal himself as the place to find their contentment.

Secondly, you have to realize that you are not God. You do not have the ability to make everyone happy and the moment you make one person happy, in doing so, you will make 10 others upset. That's the definition of a lose-lose situation. You are not God, so don't try to be. Only God can change people's hearts and only God can help them find true contentment in Him.

Finally, be patient. Sometimes discontented people just need to be "waited out". Time has a tendency to heal certain wounds and for people who aren't content, sometimes time will deal them a hard season so they can learn to be grateful. The people of Israel went through many hard times as God tried to teach them to be thankful. Perhaps the answer is to just wait and see what God is going to do.

Prayer - Father, thank you for teaching us to be grateful and to find our contentment in you. Help us to deal with people who are struggling with this. Help us to remember to pray, humble ourselves and be patient. You alone can change their hearts. Thank you for caring for them and bringing them closer to you. Amen.