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Brethren, I know that when we express our dissatisfaction or annoyance about something, most of the time we complain just like the Israelites in the desert (Numbers 14:2). Complaining usually takes place when something we perceive to be negative happens. Someone makes an independent decision that affects our ability to do something either at home or at work.
We have to deal with restrictions created by shut-down, shelter-at-home, or quarantine orders brought about by efforts to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Know that the worst person to be around is someone who complains about everything and appreciates nothing.
STOP COMPLAINING
Brethren, Let’s look at what we can do instead of what we can’t. Let’s make the best we can from what we have. Let’s turn the complaining into something more constructive, focused on solutions to the issue at hand.
On our life journey, we will be dissatisfied and annoyed several times. We will encounter many unknowns that cause a strong negative reaction. We will do ourselves a huge favour if, instead of just complaining, we voice our concern to God (Psalm 142:1–2) and then move forward by looking at what we can do to productively to deal with what we are facing. After all, complaining makes nothing better.
While growing I heard of a story about a wise man who came to his disciples and he raised a glass of water, everyone expected that they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on his face, he inquired, “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers ranged from 250gms to 500gms. he replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it.”
If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes. He continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens.
Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed–incapable of doing anything. Remember to put the glass down.” Life becomes more challenging if all you do is complain. So stop it “Enough is Enough”.
Continuing to complain about the same stuff over and over and over will not change the situation and it will not help us move forward, Instead If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude. Don’t complain. After all, complaining is finding faults while wisdom is finding solutions.
Remember complaining will, as in the story, only paralyze us. To be any good to ourselves, our family, and our friends, we need to “put the glass down” we need to move beyond continually complaining about the same stuff. If we have to complain, complain directly to God otherwise never complain and you will never need to explain. To do this.
Avoid chronic complainers. These people want to bring the worst in you (Matthew 23:15). They will drain us of positive energy, dampen our mood, and try to get us to move to the “dark” side.
While there is benefit in releasing our frustrations and disappointments, we need to move on from them. As with anything, we may find it difficult to move on. After all, If you’re not lighting a candle, don’t complain about the dark. Instead, just work harder. Since the only thing complaining does is to convince other people that you are not in control. Remember, Spending today complaining about yesterday won’t make tomorrow any better.
Pastor Nathaniel
