Holy Discontent: Fueling the Fire That Ignites Personal Vision

by Bill Hybels

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!

Genres: Christian, Leadership, Christian Living, Christianity, Faith, Nonfiction, Spirituality

160 pages, Hardcover

First published May 11, 2007

About the author

Bill Hybels is the founding and senior pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, a non-denominational church with eight regional locations in the Chicago area. He is the bestselling author of more than twenty books, including Simplify, Axiom, Holy Discontent, Just Walk Across the Room, The Volunteer Revolution, Courageous Leadership, Too Busy Not to Pray, and Becoming a Contagious Christian.

Hybels launched Willow Creek Community Church in 1975 with his wife, Lynne (Berry), and a group of friends who gathered in rented space in a movie theater with a vision of helping people from any faith background (or no faith at all) become fully devoted followers of Jesus. Utilizing contemporary music, the arts, relevant teaching from the Bible, and a small-groups community focus that has revolutionized how people experience community in the local church, Willow Creek has grown to more than 25,000 attendees, one of the largest churches in North America—and one of the most influential.

In 1992, Hybels launched Willow Creek Association, a not-for-profit organization that equips, inspires, and empowers leaders around the world. In 1995, he convened WCA’s first Global Leadership Summit, an annual two-day event featuring top leaders from all perspectives and areas of expertise—both faith-based and secular (past speakers include Condoleezza Rice, Colin Powell, Bono, Melinda Gates, Andy Stanley, Jim Collins, Ed Catmull, Tyler Perry, Sheryl Sandberg, Nicholas Kristof, David Gergen, and Brené Brown). Telecast live from Willow Creek’s 7,000-seat South Barrington auditorium each August, more than 400,000 pastors and community leaders attend the Summit at hundreds of locations across North America, and around the world at 675+ sites in 130 countries and 60 different languages—making it the largest event of its kind on the planet. “Everyone wins when a leader gets better,” Hybels says.

Hybels holds a bachelor’s degree in Biblical Studies and an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Trinity College (now Trinity International University) in Deerfield, Illinois. He and his wife, Lynne, have two grown children and two grandsons.

Reviews

[Tayarta Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend recommended this book to me; I was determined to finish it. It wasn't until the sixth chapter that I really sat up "to read."

The book' s title, along with the well-intended and desired point of the book, I was sold on from the onset. Seek and find the good work(s) Christ called you to do. Bill Hybels (pastors Willow Creek) refers to this concept as your "Holy Discontent." The thing that angers you that also angers God (poverty, fighting AIDS, bad leadership, injustice, abused children, women's issue, and the list continues).

Chapter six is where I would say the book began to truly touch me. I think Hybels' personal stories or stories he connected with more intensified his overall message, leading to more authenticity and reader connection.

In chapter six Hybels tells when "God called him into an intense era of focused attention on those who are under-resourced in our world." Hybels purposely sought speaking engagements in some of the hardest parts of the world, searching for the new discontentment God was leading him towards. During that period, he felt a deep understanding and willingness to accept the call to help orphans and widows...the call to Christians, generally. He accepted the call to focus on the problems of today--and, the issues that have always been God's concern: the poor, oppressed, widows, orphans, incarcerated, and those who can't speak for themselves.

The final pages issued a challenge. Allow God to stretch you to participate in the "new thing" he's calling you to do, bring hope to, and healing to. The "new thing" propels you to live in the fundamental state (highest level of concentration, intensity, and effectiveness), receiving "Life that is truly Life." Here, you will answer the question of many that are lost/destitute/oppressed...: does it have to end like this? The answer is a resounding-"NO!" Christ lives, through Him, there's life more abundantly-despite the trials...they will come. But, God overcame this world and victory reigns!

The sincere connection to me in the closing chapters was the call to address the concerns found on God's heart that are spoken of throughout the Word--the oppressed, widows, and orphans, by speaking for (legally representing) those who can't speak for themselves. Speaking for those who can't speak for themselves has been the message continuously directed to me, which hints to my Holy Discontent...my purpose...my good works.

[Phil Whittall · Rating 2 out of 5]

Holy Discontent is not a complicated book, it's not a deep book. I'm not 100% convinced there's enough here for a book but you can't fault Hybels for passion. Whatever he does it seems he gives it 100%. This IS a book about frustration, frustration with injustice, racism, poverty, disease, suffering (or indeed whatever) and then beating apathy and getting something done.

You don't need to have ever met the man (which I haven't) to know that Bill Hybels is an activist by nature and personality. I am too, so I relate to that a lot. Hybels sees something, it moves him, he wants to DO something about it. Simple. Uncomplicated. Motivating. Action.

I'm never going to complain when a significant leader in Christ's church calls his followers to DO something about injustice. Well done Bill. However I think a trick was missed in not going a little deeper and calling for advocacy or protest as a way of doing something. The focus here seems to me to be on cure not prevention. Still, if you know comfortable western Christians endlessly agonising about not knowing where their 'calling or place is', this may be an acceptable rocket to place under their seat.

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book, like many others in the genre, is a call to action. It is a reminder that God intends for us to be acting on His behalf in the world to make it closer to what He intended it to be.

Hybels has aggregated the stories of a few people that he has met over the years into his view of what pushes people past the boundary of recognizing the brokenness and acting on that recognition to resolve the problem. His has termed this recognition as Holy Discontent.

If you know what God has called you to do in this world, then this book is a call to remember how you got started, why you do what you do, and to persevere through the difficulties.

If you do not know, then the book gives some guidance on how to recognize the Holy Spirit prompting you towards that endeavor. To find it, feed it, follow it and fight for it. Nothing in depth on any of these topics, but quick hits to stoke the fire.

Hybels reminds us that ultimately, God will want to say to us "Well done...", but for us to hear that, we have to have DONE something, so we need to find our thing and ACT upon it.

[Katie Suggitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hybels gives some new images for his concept of holy discontent. I was particularly fond of the one he calls the Popeye moment. He also shares examples both biblically and in the current culture of what discovering one's holy discontent might look like. Ultimately, though, this was mostly a fresh set of eyes on discovering one's God-given purpose. I found it to be an interesting read and perhaps even insightful; yet at the end I felt almost disappointed. To use a phrase from the book ... I thought, "It can't end like this." The book felt unfinished and the topic simultaneously well-covered and underdeveloped.

[Novel Destination · Rating 5 out of 5]

An audiobook called "Holy Discontent" was written and performed by Bill Hybels. I would not normally choose something like this but the world has been a bit strange for us all in 2020. I found that it was full of uplifting ideas without being too heavy on long religious passages. The basic premise was a reminder that identifying problems is important but working to improve or eradicate them is imperative. Recognize your discontent and go make a change. Connecting with others will make the work seem easier (even those big tasks that seem insurmountable).

[Bruce Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hybels encourages us to consider what we can't stand as a prompt from the Holy Spirit. What troubles us, frustrates us and causes us to wring our hands can be a holy discontent that allows God to use us in making a difference. As I read this book I simply wondered how many of us, followers of Jesus, have such a discontent. Challenging in many ways.

[Sam B · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was hands down the best book I read this year. Apathetic Christians are killing the church, and Hybels pulls no punches in addressing this. I would love to get this in the hands of every congregation member.

[Sean Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't always agree with Hybels philosophy of ministry but he does write a challenging and engaging book and this is no exception -a well recommended book and it shows what we should be doing as Piper said don't waste your life.

[Cana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful. I love the way that Bill manages to put my struggles into words and give me a way to express it.

[Johnnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of this book is nothing special but the last half is incredibly strong: filled with stories of people who are living out of their passion.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book. While the information was useful, the writing style was hard for me to enjoy and become involved in.

[Nisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational read reflecting the sincerity of the writer's heart.

[George Vander Dussen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. Fluff.

[Sarah J Callen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a challenging book that will inspire you to get off the sidelines and into the game, pursuing that thing you were created to do.

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[Victor Couto alves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Descontentamento Santo é um livro pequeno e rápido que aborda de forma superficial alguns pontos, mas nem por isso traz reflexões importantes tais como a do descontentamento santo, ou seja, aquela harmonia espiritual que interliga as nossas prioridades com as prioridades de Deus. Ele é bem útil pra todos aqueles que tem aquele sentimento que precisam fazer algo mas não sabem o que exatamente. Encontrar esse “descontentamento santo” é a chave pra encontrar o foco ou aquele propósito para se vidar, aprender e/ou trabalhar.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I reiterate, how beautiful the world will be if we all work towards our holy discontent.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this overly simplistic and was disappointed that Hybels was inferring the perspectives of most of the examples he provides in the book. It significantly weakened his point, in my opinion, and was hard for me to ignore. His overall point was fine but it could have been made in even fewer pages than this short book.

[Paul J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This new book from the pastor of Willow Creek is subtitled “Fueling The Fire That Ignites Personal Vision”. It’s hard to deny that Hybels knows a thing or two about vision, taking a small youth bible study and leading its growth into one of the largest and most influential churches in America.

Hybels shares about what lit his fire - his “Popeye moment” as he called it (from the cartoon sailor’s famous quote, “That’s all I can stands, and I can’t stands no more!”). There are also numerous stories from other people that found their “holy discontent” and set out to make a difference. He gives the reader clear and sound advice about finding your area of passion, developing it, and keeping it alive.

I have to admit that I bounced back and forth in reading this book from an attitude of “I could never do that”, to “I NEED to do that”. The chapter that resonated the most with me dealt with the concept of a “fundamental state” of existence…where one moves from what is considered “normal” life (accepting the world as it is) to a life driven by a powerful passion that takes you to a new level. I’m planning on re-reading this book a few more times to let that sink it.

Hybels states that “a bad day lived from the energy of your holy discontent is far better that the best day lived anywhere else.” We are called through Christ to engage our broken world, and with God’s help, take action. This book can help you do that. Read it.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

We read this in our small group over the course of a few months. Otherwise, I could have zipped through it in just a few hours. There's about enough "meat" to this book to last a good hour-long sermon. In a book, that means there's a lot of rambling personal anecdotes and redundant pep-talking going on. (Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, of course.)

I liked that this book forced me to think about priorities and causes outside of my day-to-day life. Anything that gets the focus off me and my comforts and more on to what God might want from my life is always a good thing.

That said, I found the notion that our "holy discontent" should make us physically angry as a bit testosterone-charged. Just because something doesn't make me want to put my fist through a wall doesn't mean its not something that motivates me to get involved. However, I recognize that this is probably just a writing-style difference. Also, although the author does mention "lesser" callings like gardening and the arts, his main focus is on the biggies: feeding the hungry, stopping AIDS, etc. If one of those is not your calling, then you might be made to feel a bit, well, lesser. Just my impression.

All in all, I think there's a good message in this book. Could it have been communicated better? Probably. But that doesn't mean it's not worth a read.

[Daphne Lin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books that share something new and fresh and life changing are worth taking time to submit a comment.

This concept of fueling frustration to ignite personal vision is captured in this book.

This book will either change your view or help shape your view on making a difference as believers in this world. We all have something that burns us up and this book shares stories of others who have gone before us and inspire us to go ahead. They are people who took the leap and have amazing ministries. Hybels does a great job in his presentation and will inspire anyone who reads this to go after their holy discontent with passion. I learned a ton from this book including what really fuels my fire.

The important thing to remember is that God is the one who is revealing the discontent, developing it, keeping it alive. It's all about Him, His glory and how he is using individuals to bring greater glory to His name.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to accomplish what God is calling you to do.

This book will stir you to action. Read it and begin to move in a direction that will help change things in our world.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book about finding direction. Its all based on the concept of a 'holy discontent'--a wrong in the world that you find unbearable that motivates you in the things that you do. It's not going to lay down the 5 steps to success but it is brimming full of stories of how and why individuals have found success and satisfaction defined by something other than money. My friend described it well saying it was a good book for personal vision.

The style is vibrant and narrative but the turns of phrase Hybels uses may put some readers off, coming across a little cliche. That said, it is an easy read that is sure to inspire.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Went through this book with a women's small group and am so grateful I did! Hybels presents the concept of "holy discontent" - "what wrecks the heart of someone who loves God is often the very thing God wants to use to fire them up to do something that, under normal circumstances, they would never attempt to do" (p. 25). He helps the reader figure out how to identify, fuel and channel wherever your holy discontent lies. He also provides interesting anecdotes and stories throughout. A fairly quick read despite the depth of what is discussed.

[Bill Zipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Bill Hybels at his best, and, in my opinion, one of his best books.

Passionate and practical, Holy Discontent challenges us to get out of the status quo, stop being believers who are mere consumers of spiritual goods and services, and start giving ourselves to the world. How do we do that? By opening our eyes and heart to the world around us, Popeye moments, as Bill calls them, and really caring for the pressing needs of the world around us. A great read that challenged me to the core.

[Isaias · Rating 3 out of 5]

Muy interesante idea la presentada en este libro. Me parece importante los aspectos que menciona acerca de mantener la motivación original de la actividad a la que se dedique cada uno, lo que Hybels le llama "alimentar la frustración". Esa actividad debe ser algo realmente importante para nosotros, algo más grande que el ego y que tenga trascendencia eterna. Me hubiera gustado más que apoyará sus ideas con argumentos bíblicos que con ejemplos modernos, pero sigue siendo válida la idea presentada.

[Olamide OPEYEMI · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Hybels succinctly introduce us to the "wrecking" passion in us to make a change in our world, a drive to make things better, and to live beyond our private conveniences.

Using phrases like 'firestorm of frustration' and 'holy discontent', as well as the beautiful comical analogy of the 'Popeye moment' shoots the point right home in an enjoyable and emotional manner.

Pastor Hybels have continued to lead by example in his ministry initiatives. And his courage to do what he believes in is surely something I want to emulate.

Thank you Pastor Hybels!

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book helped give language to something I have felt for so long. This is an insightful and biblical look at the passions that drive our lives and give it meaning. I would recommend it as a great book to read as you think about meaning and purpose, it gives permission to live into the discontent deep in your soul with the status quo, and to pursue something else, because you have hope and vision that it can be.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast read. Hybel encourages us to lean into the things that frustrate us the most and see that as God's frustration also. It was thought provoking to consider how we as individual could make a difference in the world around us. I would recommend it to anyone that does see injustices in the world, it is a positive look at what we should do about it.

[Jim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best from my perspective and maybe just at this point in my life this topic is not a big deal to revisit. For someone struggling with what to do or with purpose in life, this could be amazing. Hybels always brings some great wisdom and inspiring thoughts. I just wasn't that into it. So, even though it's a two star for me, I'll still recommend it to people.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If reading a book the first time ignites within you a desire to be a "Change Agent" in our current culture, then reading it the second time solidifies that desire... I read this book in 2006 and now again in 2011. The truths that Bill brings to life on its pages are timeless and worthy of reading and taking action on again and again... Only 150 pages but packed with commitment demanding power...

[Carol Brusegar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio version of this and found it to be affirming and inspiring. These are the 3 things promised on the cover, which indeed were delivered: + find and feed your personal area of holy discontent, + fight for it even when things get risky, and + follow it when it takes a mid-course turn.