“I have often thought that people generally have narrow interests. We want to work, to play, to love our family, to live in peace with some modest level of comfort. Of course, a consumer economy cannot operate in a world of satisfaction. Modern consumption with an ever-expanding economy requires that our dissatisfaction remain somewhat steady.” (Father Stephen Freeman)
“The “modern” mindset also holds that “…as our knowledge becomes both broader and more unified, we will experience continued progress (and they have in mind not only technological progress, but also social, political, and moral progress)….In the modern imaginary, this expectation of relentless progress is reflected in a certain restlessness or dissatisfaction with the way things are. Having grown accustomed to the constant evolution of technology, the late modern individual tends to generalize and project this movement on almost every area of life. Accordingly, the economy has to grow. Relationships, friendships and allegiances have to change and evolve. Ideas (even truths) have to be developed. Speeds have to increase. Superstitions have to be overcome. This often takes the form of an outright rejection of the past. The beliefs, values and aspirations of those who have gone on before us are thrown off simply because they are of the past. Like everything else these things have been modernized and improved upon. Those no longer on the progressive side of life’s curve are shunned and hidden away. The immanent obsolescence of just about everything leads to an idolization of the new and improved.” (Fr. Edward Rommen)
“The scriptures do not say “for God so loved the world that He gave us a cause” What He gave us is a purpose...and that is to know the Father through the Son by the Spirit (Trinitarian life), The world goes from one cause to the next and is never satisfied. The world and the prince of this world will always have a counterfeit to the truth (ultimate purpose) for mankind to gleefully follow, though it produces despair, frustration and ultimately death. The seduction is to find yourself in a cause or a myriad of causes for the sake of a ‘better world.’ ” (Pete)
“Jesus is saying, “I can give it. I can give you absolute, unfathomable satisfaction in the core of your being regardless of what happens outside, regardless of circumstance. He’s talking about deep soul satisfaction, about incredible satisfaction and contentment that doesn’t depend on what is happening outside of us...we were created for God’s Kingdom, so we are not capable of being truly happy and satisfied anywhere else. But we are afraid to turn to God, so we seek happiness and satisfaction from transitory things which can never satisfy us.” (Pastor Timothy Keller, Bishop Basil Losten)
“Spiritual or emotional dissatisfaction comes from within ourselves, from inexperience and from poorly conceived opinions we do not want to abandon, but which bring on doubt, embarrassment, and misunderstanding. All of this tires and burdens us, and brings us to a sorry state. We would do well to comprehend the Holy Fathers’ simple advice: If we will humble ourselves, we will find tranquility anywhere, without having to mentally wander about many other places, where we might have the same, or even worse, experiences.” (St. Ambrose of Optina)
"...the closer we come to God, the more that we will feel as if we have not done enough, and as if we are constantly falling short of becoming what we are called to be. If and when we feel self-satisfied, or that we have given enough to God and to others for His sake, it is then that we are in bad shape." (Archimandrite Sergius)
“For the heart of the human person is made for God - for truth, for love, for life itself, and not for mere "existence" and is inevitably unsatisfied, frustrated, confused, distressed, angered, bored...until it comes to rest in Him.” (Father Thomas Hopko)
“Rhetoric does not satisfy the soul…Only God can truly satisfy our innermost longing; only God is truly an inexhaustible…Only God can satisfy the soul’s thirst.” (Wellington Boone, Deacon and Fellow Pilgrim, St. John of Kronstadt)
"Yes, “righteousness” is worth it…I am “blessed” through hungering and thirsting for it, because this is an objective that “satisfies” or “fills” the hole in my heart. This hole can never entirely be filled, can never truly be satisfied, by material gain or betterment. I have tried it. But I found that when my focus is limited to material objectives, I am always not quite there; I am constantly dissatisfied and discontent to a greater or lesser degree. And this constant dissatisfaction cripples my unique usefulness to the human beings and world around me." (Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin)
“The godly person has found that what the greedy or envious or discontented person always searches for but never finds. He has found satisfaction and rest in his soul.” (Jerry Bridges)