Boredom

From time to time most people seem to pass through a phase of boredom. Some teens complain of boredom almost daily! I must confess that I occasionally feel bored.

Instead of boredom, or being mired down in the mud of being bored, we long for the new, fresh, exciting, enthralling, invigorating, interesting, motivating, appealing, stimulating, energizing, challenging, thought-provoking, etc.

What makes something boring? Is it purely a frame of mind? What is the anatomy of boredom?

Is boredom sin? The words boring and boredom do not appear in the Bible, but is the root of boredom discussed there? Is boredom a problem to be overcome or just a fact of life to endure? Why do I feel guilty sometimes when I’m bored?

What’s the connection between boredom and the routine? Is variety the simple answer to boredom? What if variety already exists in the routine?

Is boredom purely an internal reaction or is it brought on by external factors?

Is there a connection between passivity and inactivity and boredom? Why is it that periods of intentional contemplation are not boring? Can boredom exist in an engaged, active mind?

Is boredom strictly a modern malady? Does our over-attention to entertainment lead to moments of boredom when entertainment is lacking?
How can a job be boring one day and invigorating the next?

Is boredom actually an expression of discontent? Is it possible for one to be bored if one is contented? Does boredom reveal a deeper or different core issue?

What’s a proper response to boredom? How do we overcome boredom? What role does a clear focus or goal play in alleviating boredom?

After pondering all the above questions and more, I’ve come to the conclusion that boredom is actually a passive form of self-pity. Think about it. When we’re bored we feel sorry for ourselves. We’re discontented with our current situation. We’re focused on how boring our life appears at the moment and before we know it, we’re preoccupied with self. Being bored detaches us from others. All we can think about is self and how miserable we are in our current state of boredom. Then we plague others with our boredom, complaining and moping about.

If boredom is a form of self-pity and discontentment, then the remedy as well as the prevention is to be others-centered and to cultivate a lifestyle of gratefulness. No one wants to be bored! So, consider the following passages in terms of avoiding and overcoming boredom:

“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.  Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.” – Philippians 2:3-4 NLT

“Serve one another in love.” – Galatians 5:13

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.” – 1 Peter 1:13

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

©2010 Rob Fischer