Complain

I have found myself complaining about something that seems unjust or unfair. It is often something rather simple and when I look back it’s rather dumb. One of my kids heard me complain about something once and told me that “was definitely a ‘first world’ problem”. I got the message because I was whining. When I really take time to think about my life, I have very little to complain about. I am blessed way beyond what I deserve for sure. When I think about the people who are on welfare here in the US are in the top 75% of wealth in the world; that blows my mind. I had a bad golf game yesterday (insert whining here), or my team played horrible yesterday and messed up my fantasy football season.  I could go on and on about the complaints that I have, or my friends have which are ridiculous in the proper perspective.

I recently heard one of my mentors say: “You can’t feel entitled (aka complain) and feel grateful at the same time.” I am working hard at trying to limit my complaining by expanding my gratitude.

In my Bible reading this morning, the people of Israel have been a few days escaped from the Egyptians. They are now working their way toward the land God had promised.  They are doing what people do when things don’t go their way – they are complaining.  They think that they are complaining about Moses & Aaron, but they are really complaining about God because Moses & Aaron are simply spokespersons for God Himself. Check this out….

⁹ Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”

¹⁰ While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.

¹¹ The Lord said to Moses, ¹² “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’” (Exodus 16:9-12 NLT)

I am blown away by the Presence and Patience of the Lord with the people of Israel. As I typed out that statement, I was convicted of just how patient He is with me.  I give the people of Israel a hard time, but I catch myself complaining about things like the inconvenience of a rainy day. I even commented to someone a few days ago that I often wished it would rain ONLY at night while I’m sleeping.

I can be so self-centered thinking that I’m the very center of the universe and things should revolve around me. Here are a few characteristics of the selfish side of me:  Reckless. Intolerant. Thoughtless. Uncharitable. Unkind. Rude. Careless. Impolite. Hateful.

I could make a pretty big list. Those characteristics can’t co-exist with a grateful heart.  Pastor T.D. Jakes from Texas says: “It’s hard to be hateful if you’re grateful!”

I am learning to develop a heart of gratitude and work at an expansion plan for my grateful heart. The things that I thank God for each day can expand into a HUGE list. I really need to learn gratitude in the moment.  I need to be grateful for the breath I just was given. I need to be grateful for the day that has just begun.  I really should keep making a list and adding to it all throughout the day.  The Presence of God in me will certainly help mold my heart into a heart of gratitude.

Pressing On!

Dwayne