"Go Ahead...Complain Away!"

"I cannot keep from speaking.
    I must express my anguish.
    My bitter soul must complain."

Job 7:11

When I was in Sunday School, I remember hearing the story of Job and all His troubles.  I thought, "How on earth can he go through all this tragedy and NOT complain?".  However, the more I read, the more I realized Job DID complain to God.  A LOT!!  And guess what? God listened....and listened....and listened....and listened.

Look at today's verse...Job plainly states that "I cannot keep from speaking. I MUST express my anguish. My bitter soul MUST complain."  When we are hurting, frustrated, anxious, or just cannot believe life happens to us the way it does, we complain!  When was the last time you complained to a friend?  I did just this morning right before I read this verse for the gazillionth time.  

Remember when Abba decided Job had complained enough?  Read Job! Abba tells Job, Put on your big boy pants because I'm going to ask you and YOU WILL answer me. It was in this chapter that I learned a HUGELY Valuable lesson about Abba...you may want to write it down somewhere so you don't forget it.  "It's okay to complain to Abba, but remember WE do NOT get a vote!" Abba's plans are not up for debate!

 

KWITCHA GRYPIN

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.

Philippians 2:14-16 NLT

 

We all know someone (or sometimes a group of them, as they tend to flock together) who cannot say anything positive.  They spend their days complaining about everything.  Nothing seems to be able to meet their standard.  I have even asked a few of these complainers how they were able to find a spouse that met their standard of perfection, to which the response was given "they were the closest so I settled."  

 

Did you know that if you hear something enough times, you will begin to believe it too?  So be careful when dealing with chronic complainers or you may find yourself among their number.  Chronic complainers are like ticks in that they will suck the joy right out of you.

 

Why do we like to complain so much?  Could it be that we are simply naturally negative critters who find no joy in anything?  That can't be true....I find joy in lots of things and complaining isn't one of them.  Could it be that we feel superior when we point out the perceived deficiencies in the world around us?  Quite probably!  We do like to feel superior and if we can point out someone else's deficiencies then we have struck gold!

 

But what does GOD tell us to do?  Do EVERYTHING without arguing or complaining!  WOW!  Some folks are likely to explode from not being able to argue and complain.  So let me put it this way, WE example life for others (especially our children).  How do you think they will grow up if we give them the example of complaining and arguing all the time?

 

Just planting that seed for thought right there.  

Quit Your Griping!

“What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator.
    Does a clay pot argue with its maker?
Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying,
    ‘Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’
Does the pot exclaim,
    ‘How clumsy can you be?’

Isaiah 45:9

 

We like to complain, don't we?  We even invent little quips to support our "need" to complain, such as: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease!"  And we rant about this, we moan and groan about that, we rail against the people we don't like or disagree with their decisions.  We complain about service (yet what service do WE give).  We complain about prices (Yet we want increased wages).  We complain about the weather (as if we have the ability to change it). We complain about EVERYTHING!

 

When I was in High School, I worked for a fast food franchise (which shall remain nameless), and learned VERY quickly what the cooks thought of those who complained about their food.

 

I have also learned that if you raise a big enough stink, you may get what you want....at first, but rest assured somewhere along the way retribution will be sought.  Why?  Because that's how we operate!  And, to be honest, there seem to be a growing number of people who only purpose for breathing is to complain.  Know anyone like that?

 

What would happen, do you think, if we consciously made the effort to offer gratitude instead of complaining?  

 

In any situation, there are three options available to us:

     1.  Complain - and face the repercussions.

     2. Change what you can (either your perception or your attitude).

     3. Accept what you cannot change and be grateful.

 

I will be the first to tell you that I love my job!  I cannot imagine doing anything else!  And I am grateful for even the small things, like a place to keep my books, training, the chance to improve my skills, the free coffee, and the list is enormous.  

 

Who will you be today?  Grumpy or Happy?