Before You Complain, Ask Yourself

Is anything corrupt or rotten coming out of your mouth? Evaluate your words carefully.

Are you meeting a need? Someone else's need, that is. When you give voice to a negative attitude, more often it is to get affirmation, sympathy, or advice that fills your cup. Your complaining is totally self centered rather than other-centered.

Are you benefiting others? To benefit means "a kind act; anything contributing to improvement in a condition; advantage; help." Using that definition, do you want what you say to improve rather than impair a situation or someone else's perspective?

If your answers show a complaining attitude, ask God to help you change.

If you're wondering what you can talk about if you stop complaining , here are a few ideas.

Talk about the Lord. Tell others what god has done. Psalm 40:10 states, "I have spoken of your faithfulness and your salvation; I have not concealed your steadfast love and your faithfulness from the great congregation."

Pass on knowledge/instruction. Colossians 3:16 directs us to "let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom."

Or better yet, learn how to listen. Memorize Proverbs 18:2, NIV, "A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."

Dry Seasons

Return your focus to God and find refuge.

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me!
For my soul trusts in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge.
-Psalm 57: 1

Make God your refuge. Not your job, your spouse, your reputation, or your retirement account. Make God your refuge. Let him encircle you. Let him be the ceiling that breaks the sunshine, the walls that stop the wind, the foundation on which you stand.

Facing Your Giants

God brings bread for our souls.
"Peace be with you" -John 20:19

God brings a sword for the struggle.
"Receive the Holy Spirit" -John 20:22

Facing Your Giants

As Goliath moved closer to attack, David quickly ran out to meet him.

-1 Samuel 17:48