Is anyone else in a complaining rut?
The day starts out well but as it goes on it feels like a small snowflake turns into an avalanche barreling down a mountain and I can get SO irritated.
One thing leads to another and I catch my inner-monologue griping and criticizing every little thing that happens in front of me. From the chaos and wild behavior of the kids, to the clutter that’s left everywhere I walk, or the meals that I throw in the trash because no one eats them.
This long list grows in my mind and heart, and then I usually try and find my husband or a friend so I can rattle off ALL THE INJUSTICES AGAINST MY LIFE.
Oh sweet (dramatic, hormonal, emotional) Maryn.
Take a deeeeep breath.
And then remind yourself that God’s word is powerful and effective and remember that he tells us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and to only speak words that are good for building up, that it might give grace to those who hear (Ephesians 4:29).
Why would he encourage us to give thanks in all circumstances? And even more, to only speak words that are good for building up so it gives grace to those who hear?
I think this process of giving thanks and speaking words that build up literally renews our minds and transforms us (Romans 12:2), helping us to think on all the things Paul talks about in Philippians 4:8:
“…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Training our minds to not fixate on complaints or frustrations, but rather turning our thoughts to gratefulness and praise is for our best – it’s the content our brains were designed to think about, meditate on, sit with and mull over.
It’s not just our family and friends that are negatively impacted when they listen to our complaints, but it’s ourselves as well. We HEAR ourselves complaining and it does not build up or give grace.
If you struggle with complaining, know you are not alone. I’m a great driver on the complaining bus and sometimes wave at people to come on in and join me!
But let’s drink God’s word, let it sink deep, and choose the way of life instead.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24
Today, let’s be on the hunt for things we can be thankful for and speak words that build up – not only for when others hear, but also for when we listen to our own minds.
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