Grumbling and Complaining ...

We all do it ... in a variety of ways, for numerous reasons, at countless occasions … COMPLAIN!

We all have them … a bouquet of assorted shapes, colors and sizes ... COMPLAINTS!

We like what we like, we want what we want, we do what we do … and variations from our intent bring it out at its best … COMPLAINING!

I will be the first to admit that I can get seriously caught up in complaining! It’s so EASY!

It starts as soon as I wake up in the morning, when I don’t want to get out of my nice, cozy bed – I complain, “I’m too tired; I’d rather sleep longer.”

When the person driving the vehicle in front of me is driving too slowly for my already behind schedule – I complain, “C’mon, let’s get a move on!”

When I go for my walk at lunchtime and it’s pushing 90F and I’m too warm – I complain, “Ugh! Why can’t it just stay 75F and partly cloudy for me?” (HAH! I know my complaint might instigate a few of you to complain!)

When I am hurriedly trying to print something from my computer and the printer tells me an ink cartridge needs to be replaced first - I complain, “Grrr! Can’t things just work for me the first time when I need them to?”

When my children leave their belongings all over the house - I complain because I like order and I have to pick up all of their things.

Complaining for many of us is ... well, ... it's second-nature. But we were not made to be natural complainers!

Complaining is not a "pick-me-up"; it's a "downer" and IT IS contagious! When it brings you down, then others are brought down.  What if instead of complaining because we've spotted the negative in something, we turned it around and found the positive on the other side of that negative? What if we decided to search out the good that happens in our every day lives, instead of spotlighting the negative? What would we find?

- as I wake up in the morning, when I don’t want to get out of my nice, cozy bed - Today is a new day with new opportunities and challenges. Thank-You, LORD, for giving me another opportunity to give it my best shot!

- when the person driving the vehicle in front of me is driving too slowly for my already behind schedule - Now I get a few extra minutes with my precious daughters before dropping them off and heading to work for the day. "Girls, did I tell you yet this morning that I hope you have a really great day?"

- when I go for my walk at lunchtime and it’s pushing 90F and I’m too warm - Good thing I don't share my office with anyone ... LOL; when I get back, I better turn on my air conditioning. Thank-You, LORD, that I can walk and that I have the means to cool off when I am done.
 

- when my children leave their belongings all over the house - Remind myself that I am blessed at having children and their 'little things' are a reminder of the joy they have brought to my life.

I FIND that I have MUCH positivity to share with others (who, frankly, don't need one more 'negative' to add to their complaints, MUCH to be thankful for, MUCH to praise my GOD for ... what about you? 

At the prompting of your next complaint ... make a choice to pull out the positive piece ... What will you find?

Do everything without complaining or arguing…Philippians 2:14

It can start with just a mumble,

Which then becomes a grumble,

Causing folks to stumble,

Spoiling lives.

Let’s remember to be humble,

Ignore that petty rumble

And build instead of crumble!

Blessing lives.

(author unknown)
 

Lord, help us to look more for the positive instead of dwelling on the negative. And show us new ways to bring Your light and vision into situations which now seem dark and dreary. AMEN.

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