Be Honest...
Do you really have anything to complain about? I mean, do your complaints arise from inconvenience or minor discomfort?
Do they simply disturb your selfishness and upset your little make-believe world?
Are they short term? Are they the result of your own laziness or selfishness?
Are they the result of your own bad judgments or incompetence?
Even most of the real struggles are minuscule compared to the unspeakable troubles some other people suffer.
Are you saying that you are not up to the challenge, or God is not adequate for your trials in life?
If you claim to love God, then remember...
Romans 8:28
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Be Careful...
To make matters worse, some of the complaints are about the most important treasures of life, like complaining because of minor issues concerning the children. There are numberless parents who would gladly trade their major troubles for the picayune things that overwhelm some folks.
Romans 8:28
(28) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
Be Careful...
To make matters worse, some of the complaints are about the most important treasures of life, like complaining because of minor issues concerning the children. There are numberless parents who would gladly trade their major troubles for the picayune things that overwhelm some folks.
I won't take the time to list these difficulties, but they can be medical, relational, legal, moral problems that irreversibly ruin lives or bring death.
Or, maybe the complaint is about the job scene, while others are jobless or physically unable to work.
Or maybe the complaint is money related, while there are others who are homeless, hungry or suffering the horrors of war. So, suck it up and quitcherbellyachin.
If you claim to trust God, remember...
James 1:2-4
(2) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
(3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
(4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Be careful about your whining and complaining.
James 1:2-4
(2) My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
(3) Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
(4) But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Be careful about your whining and complaining.
You could lose the object of your complaining.
Would you rather have the problems that go with noisy children, fussy children, tired children, even sick children or would you be happier with no children?
Would you rather have the problems you have at work or not have work?
Life is bigger than you "having fun," or being comfortable. And if it takes losing your most prized possessions for you to realize great benefits you do have, then that might be arranged.
Be Reminded...
Romans 8:16-18
(16) The Spirit (Himself) (bears) witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
(9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Philippians 1:28-29
(28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
(29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
To complain, whine, criticize during your trials in life is to fault God. Your complaining does not show how big your troubles are, it shows how small you and your god are.
CONSIDER THIS...
When a follower of Christ takes a positive, faith approach toward testing and trial, the critic may refer to the Christian as having a "Pollyanna" attitude, when in fact the Christian is having a "Hosanna" attitude.
Be Reminded...
Romans 8:16-18
(16) The Spirit (Himself) (bears) witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
(17) And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
(18) For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10
(9) And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
(10) Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Philippians 1:28-29
(28) And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.
(29) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
To complain, whine, criticize during your trials in life is to fault God. Your complaining does not show how big your troubles are, it shows how small you and your god are.
CONSIDER THIS...
When a follower of Christ takes a positive, faith approach toward testing and trial, the critic may refer to the Christian as having a "Pollyanna" attitude, when in fact the Christian is having a "Hosanna" attitude.
It is not naivete to trust and praise God during trial, it is spiritual maturity. Complaining or finding fault is not a sign of emotional maturity, it is a sign of being blind to spiritual realities.
Hosanna is the cry of praise and worship.
2 Corinthians 4:15-18
(15) For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
(16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
(17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, (works) for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
(18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Philippians 4:7-13
(7) And the peace of God, which (passes) all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
(10) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
(11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
(12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
(13) I can do all things through Christ which (strengthens) me.
Parents Beware
Parents, do not be negative, gloomy, fault finding, whining, complaining, critical. Your children will see and hear this and they will be impacted by your words and attitude. Your negative words and/or attitude toward other people and races are a stumbling block to your children. It does not matter that what you say is true, if it is not loving, if it is not in the Spirit, it will be a poison you are shooting straight into the minds and lives of your children. Your children will likely be as negative as you are, and probably more so. This toxic attitude dishonors God, robs you and is an offence to your children. As someone has said, "Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying."
2 Corinthians 4:15-18
(15) For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
(16) For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.
(17) For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, (works) for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
(18) While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Philippians 4:7-13
(7) And the peace of God, which (passes) all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
(8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
(9) Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
(10) But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity.
(11) Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
(12) I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
(13) I can do all things through Christ which (strengthens) me.
Parents Beware
Parents, do not be negative, gloomy, fault finding, whining, complaining, critical. Your children will see and hear this and they will be impacted by your words and attitude. Your negative words and/or attitude toward other people and races are a stumbling block to your children. It does not matter that what you say is true, if it is not loving, if it is not in the Spirit, it will be a poison you are shooting straight into the minds and lives of your children. Your children will likely be as negative as you are, and probably more so. This toxic attitude dishonors God, robs you and is an offence to your children. As someone has said, "Your actions speak so loudly, I cannot hear what you are saying."
And, as Jesus said...
Luke 17:1-2
(1) Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
(2) It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
Luke 17:1-2
(1) Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!
(2) It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
