Divine Discontent and the Devils Dissonance


divine discontent and the devil’s dissonance

 

Have you ever berated yourself, for not being perfect?  Doing the perfect thing, looking the perfect way, making the perfect reply. . . ? While certainly, it is important to check in, and be just a bit discontented with imperfections, it can go too far.  There is a balance between wanting to improve oneself, a worthy goal, and allowing that discontent to become emotional dissonance.  Neal A. Maxwell says,  we can distinguish “between divine discontent and the devil’s dissonance.”

[The Devil] "uses the circumstances of life to drag us down so that we think less of ourselves than we should. He would have us look  at how far we have yet to travel and the challenges en route, in the desire that we might give up in a state of discouragement and hopelessness. " ~ Elder David S. Baxter

Whether or not you believe in an evil power, the world can do the same.  I have curtains in my family room.  They are a lovely shade of Olive Green, but. . . about three quarters up from the floor there is a thumbnail-large stain.  Every-time I look over there, I see the stain.  Not the 99% of the curtain that is lovely, and doing its job completely, but that stain. 

Ever feel like that? That others look at you and see only the worst things you have ever done? The flaws in your character, your body, your face, your choices?  How do you step out of focusing on ‘the stain’ and enjoying the 99%? 

I’ve found that just that, focus, is the key to realizing your worth.  Yes, we all have our stains, our imperfections, and yet, that isn’t what determines us.  So give yourself a bit of grace, along with your friends and neighbors when their stain is ever evident.  Be concerned about that which you can adjust and work on – Divine discontent  - and those things you haven’t gotten to yet, or simply things out of your control, yet you feel bad about – Devil’s Dissonance.  Let me know if that helps! 

MGSK

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Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 1, 2026 at 11:23 AM

    It’s true our brains look for patterns and notice the imperfect- likely for survival - it takes rational thought to understand the imperfection and discern between a need to judge to protect oneself or as an opportunity for growth.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 2, 2026 at 4:34 AM

      True- and why it takes diligence and clarity to choose what is best for our personal goals. Thanks for your thoughts!

      Delete
  2. LoralynOctober 1, 2026 at 1:41 PM

    You are so insightful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. JanealOctober 1, 2026 at 3:23 PM

    I love the part about giving grace to our neighbors as well- because for the most part, I think we’re all just trying our best.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 2, 2026 at 4:37 AM

      I agree. This is why “up-close” creates more symbolic realtors and understanding. The internet in good measure has placed another block between people in many ways, and also demolished some in other ways. Thanks for sharing your insights!

      Delete
  4. AnonymousOctober 2, 2026 at 12:25 AM

    Testing to see if I can comment. Apparently yes.

    ReplyDelete

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