This is one of the last things we want to hear other people say. The teacher who has worked hard on the lesson plan does not want to hear he is boring his students. The hostess who has worked hard to plan a dinner party does not want to hear that her guests are bored. The tired parent does not appreciate their nap being interrupted by their children announcing "We're bored!" However, despite our best efforts, boredom happens.

The causes for boredom have actually been the subject of psychological studies. In an article found on psychologytoday.com, author Art Markman, Ph.D., suggests several conditions have to be met for a person to feel bored.

First, there has to be a mixture of a high level of psychological energy (arousal) and a low level of stimuli (nothing upon which to focus this attention or arousal). When our brain feels like doing something, and finds nothing to do, it will cause us to feel frustrated. We are in need of some stimuli and can't find it. It is like revving our engine at a red light that never turns green. This mental frustration is the feeling we often call "boredom."

Another factor contributing to boredom is a lack of control over one's circumstances. If we lose interest in a book, TV program or video game while we are at home, we can turn it off and move on to something else. However, if we are sitting in a classroom, in a waiting room or at the airport we have very little control over the situation. We cannot find new stimuli - thus we feel bored.

Markman's article makes some interesting points about boredom. However, I believe there are some other things to consider from a Biblical standpoint.

First, a feeling of boredom often comes to those who are overstimulated or are overindulging in entertainment or pleasure. With the wealth of an empire at his disposal, Solomon set forth to enjoy every pleasure imaginable. "Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart rejoiced in all my labor; and this was my reward from all my labor. Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done and on the labor in which I had toiled; and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun" (Eccl. 2:10-11, see also vs. 1-2). Solomon learned there is no lasting satisfaction with the pursuit of pleasure.

Solomon went on to explain that satisfaction cannot be found in an abundance of things. "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity" (Eccl. 5:10). How many children's closets and toy boxes are filled with toys and games that are now considered "boring?" Last week's "greatest new" video game is tossed aside for this week's "greatest new" video game. Last year's video game console was tossed aside for this year's console. Why do they need a new video game, board game, action figure, etc.? "Because the old ones are boring!"

However, this problem is not confined to children. How many adults insist that their next car, entertainment system, house party or vacation be better than the last? The children's room is not the only place in the house that is full of discarded gadgets. See the point? If we think our happiness is determined by things, we will never really be happy - but we can become bored.

Contentment is the solution to this cause of boredom. "Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have..." (Heb. 13:5). Contentment is the ability to be satisfied with what one has. Instead of rushing out to get the latest-greatest new things, why not learn to enjoy what we have? We live in a world where so many things are considered "disposable" that we think we "need" new things. For instance, the idea of hanging on to a smart phone or tablet that is a couple of generations old seems shameful and ridiculous to some people (Personally, I think spending seven hundred and fifty dollars on a phone that is going to be used for a year is shameful and ridiculous).

Also, learning to enjoy things in moderation can keep us from becoming desensitized to the pleasure we receive from them. For instance, it is easy to get burned out on a video game that has been played for hour upon hour for several days in a row. Put it down and go enjoy something else for a while. Instead of being disappoint because we do not have the latest-greatest new gadget, we need to go dust off the things we have and learn to enjoy them once again.

Laziness is another problem that causes people to feel bored. Sitting on the couch watching TV all day could hardly stimulate anyone who has a pulse. Staying active will help one avoid feelings of boredom. However, it is best that we engage in activities towards a specific goal. Jesus said, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work" (John 9:4). Jesus didn't get bored (show me the verse where Jesus was bored). Jesus stayed busy. However, He wasn't busy with "busy work." Jesus was busy with His Father's work. Those who are diligent and goal oriented can endure circumstances that cause feelings of boredom. For instance, the student who is working hard to earn his degree will sit through a dry lecture. The lecture will only last an hour, but the degree will be an achievement he will use and enjoy for the rest of his life.

Boredom is real. Sometimes we find ourselves in "boring" situations which are out of our control, but sometimes we are the cause of our boredom. Learning to practice things such as contentment, moderation, patience and goal-oriented diligence will help us avoid and overcome feelings of boredom.