Holy Discontent: Fueling the Fire That Ignites Personal Vision (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book is peppered with humor and personal illustrations. Hybels doesn't come across as an expert but rather as a fellow traveler cheering us on to find our holy discontent, develop it, and keep it alive. If you find yourself frustrated by injustices in this world and wanting to do more than just complain about it, Hybels encourages: 'Figure out what you can't stand. Channel your holy discontent energy into helping to fix what's broken in this life.'" — The Dallas Morning News

(The Dallas Morning News )

Product Description

What is the one aspect of this broken world that, when you see it, touch it, get near it, you just can't stand? Very likely, that firestorm of frustration reflects your holy discontent, a reality so troubling that you are thrust off the couch and into the game. It's during these defining times when your eyes open to the needs surrounding you and your heart hungers to respond that you hear God say, "I feel the same way about this problem. Now, let's go solve it together!"

Bill Hybels invites you to consider the dramatic impact your life will have when you allow your holy discontent to fuel instead of frustrate you. Using examples from the Bible, his own life, and the experiences of others, Hybels shows how you can find and feed your personal area of holy discontent, fight for it when things get risky, and follow it when it takes a mid-course turn. As you live from the energy of your holy discontent, you'll fulfill your role in setting what is wrong in this world right!

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (June 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310272289
• ISBN-13: 978-0310272281
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #156,627 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Strong idea, December 6, 2007

By	J. Miller (LA, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The power of this book is again what we've come to expect from Bill Hybels. It is a powerful, easily communicated idea that motivates ministry. The idea is that there is in the life of every person some burning passion that fuels one's desire to change the world. With the urgency that typifies Hybels writing, speaking, and ministry, he seeks to motivate people into ministry by urging us to discover and develop our holy discontent with those things that most need changing.

Hybels uses the line from the Popeye cartoon to communicate the concept: "I've had alls I can stand, and I can't stands no more!" There is in any given person's life something that makes them desire change. For Hybels, he could not stand stale churches that failed to communicate the gospel effectively. We are not wholly content in this world, because this world is not yet what God wants it to be. By stoking our own awareness of and frustration with that given problem that most gets under our skin, we can find our calling and build a ministry. The book would be a good motivator for churches looking for ways to encourage volunteerism.

There are two significant weaknesses to the book. First, after explaining the cleverly-termed concept, the rest of the book is a series of fairly pat illustrations, including the overused examples of Billy Graham and Mother Theresa. The string of people who found and followed a holy discontent is not surprising, which might have been remedied by more detailed research and more personal illustrations. Secondly, at a more profound level, Hybels never tells us exactly why calling should be based on a negative reaction to the world rather than a positive expression of love or the use of one's spiritual gifts. In fact, the whole sense that calling springs from complaint seems to be a limited explanation for calling, making one facet of calling the whole story. He describes David being motivated by his anger towards Goliath, but the book wouldn't be able to account for instances like Jonah being called against his will or Zacchaeus being called by Jesus' love and acceptance.

It's a pragmatic book that would be a worthwhile motivator for congregations. It only lacks a more thorough exploration of how God motivates us to the places where he wants us, but that is not a fatal flaw.

James W. Miller is the author of God Scent.

17 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unleash your personal God given vision., June 9, 2007

By	Jonathan Stephens "plaidx2" (Rochester, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book was one of the most inspiring books I have ever read. If you are looking for a thick theological book, this is not it. Hybels does use scripture throughout, but this is more of an inspirational writing. He uses his own personal story, the stories of well known leaders (Mother Teresa, Bono, Martin Luther King Jr...), and the lives of a few people from the Bible.

Although this book is relevant to people of any age, I would highly urge high school seniors and college students to read this book. I purchased two additional copies to give to people like this in my life.

If you are looking for a push to take a step out and fulfill the thing you know you were created to do or you are looking for direction in finding that thing you were created for - this is a MUST READ! I will always look back on this book as a milestone in my journey of fulfilling God's leading in my life.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Concept, Better Approach Needed, August 25, 2007

By	David R. Bess (Charleston, WV) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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Having read and enjoyed many books from a great man like Bill Hybels, it is difficult for me to give this one only four stars. I love the concept of "holy discontent," and truly feel God is revealing something to him that makes strong Christian leaders tick. The problem is that what he writes has the tone of a self-help, man-centered essay. The sections of this book have headings such as "Where to find your holy discontent," "How to develop your holy discontent," and "The key to keeping your holy discontent alive."

I believe this title can be a great source of help for Christians, particularly Christian leaders, in understanding what God may be stirring in their hearts and minds. The important thing to remember is that it is God who is revealing the discontent, God who is developing it, and God who is keeping it alive. It's all about Him, His glory and how he is using individuals to bring greater glory to His name. Understanding those things, get this book and allow God to open your eyes to what He is doing in your heart and mind.