“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” Philippians 2:14-15
My quote for this Monday morning is “I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to”. I read in a devotion last weekend that complaining is a sure sign of spiritual immaturity as a lack of faith is being shown by the person doing the complaining. The reasoning was that if we place our trust in our Triune God, He has our best interest in His plans. If I am constantly complaining about my provisions, my health, the other side, my family, my house, my job, my life…then I cannot accept God’s will for life. A complainer will cry, rant, kick and scream until they get their way and when that moment arrives; they are generally still not happy.
A friend from Nebraska and I had coffee this morning on our own decks here and there, over the phone, and we talked about how this world seems to place so much energy into negative thoughts, words and actions. Have you seen any positive political ads recently? Have you seen any positive comments from either of the political television or radio programs in the past several months?
The opposite of complaining is praising. The opposite of grumbling with the gifts that God has given to you is giving thanks for all that He has placed on your plate. The child in the attached photo attends the Lutheran school in Cap Haitian. The smile on her face is a sign of happiness and giving thanks for somebody like you who has blessed her day with a meal; the only meal of her day. She won’t complain that she got rice and beans yesterday, today and tomorrow; it is food!!!
I close today with the words from the song ‘It is well with my soul’ that was written by Horatio Spafford in 1873. He wrote the song following the sinking of the steamship Ville du Havre which carried four of his daughters which was crossing the Atlantic.
“When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, when sorrows like sea billows roll; whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, it is well, it is well with my soul. Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blest assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless estate, and hath shed his own blood for my soul. My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought! My sin, not in part but the whole, is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more, praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul! And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds be rolled back as a scroll; the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend, even so, it is well with my soul.” Been complaining lately? Consider all that He has lavished upon you.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay