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Does Anyone Out There Feel Like Complaining?By Ed Delph October 9, 2017![]()
Today, let’s take a quick glance at complaining. Notice I said a quick glance. I don’t want you to gaze at complaining because the more you gaze at it, the more you become it. It’s like the sun. Let what is written here give light but don’t look at it too long. The consequences of complaining can be devastating.
Recently, I was reading The Word for Today published in New Zealand. I found this true story written by Jon Gordon that illustrates the effects of complaining. Read, learn, grow and let there be light.
Jon Gordon writes:
This type of turnaround happens most all the time. John Maxwell says, “Your attitude determines your altitude.” Fly above the stormy weather, or else you’re in for a rough ride. There comes a time of choice. In this case, change your job or change your attitude. My advice is quit making yourself miserable, and the company you are working for miserable too. What you are laboring under affects others. Get a fresh start if you need to, but quit complaining and grumbling or you will eventually become a magnet for calamity.
The Bible places whiners and complainers in the same class as ‘sinners [who] have spoken against [God] …grumblers and complainers…living only to satisfy their desires…to get what they want.’ (Jude 1:15-16). Ouch! Sometimes the truth makes us miserable first but then it sets us free.
Did you know that complaining can be grumbling against God? Exodus 16:7 says to the Israelites, “The Lord has heard your grumbling against Him.” This was when the Israelites came out of Egypt. God didn’t lead them along the main road through Philistine country even though it was the shortest route to the Promised Land. Why? Because if tough times happened they might change their minds and go back to Egypt. God led them in a roundabout way. He wanted them prepared, which is much more stable than instantly prosperous. Perhaps God is leading you in a roundabout way, too. God sees the beginning from the end. Trust Him in that.
When going through tough times in life like health, marriage, relationships, finances, career, and family life, there are better options than resorting to complaining or grumbling. Maybe you and I could make gratitude our attitude. Maybe the glass is half full or even more than that. Maybe we are just an attitude adjustment from moving from the outhouse to the penthouse like Rachel. Maybe we even could move from “Why me?” to “What’s next?”
Take action! Focus on what is positive in your life. Give thanks to God for all that you do have. Don’t allow complaining to bump you off the path to your destiny. And believe me, you have a voice in the choice.
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Ed Delph is a leader in church-community connections. Visit Ed Delph's website at www.nationstrategy.com
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