TODAY IS…

an excellent day to avoid complaining.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing.”  Philippians 2:14 NIV

Cicero, the Roman statesman, once said, “A perverse and fretful disposition makes any state of life unhappy.”

If we allow ourselves to be consumed with complaining about things that are not perfect in our lives, we will soon find that there is very little in our lives to be joyful about.

The time that we will spend walking on this earth is but the blink of an eye compared to the eternal lives that will follow if we have prepared the way properly. Most of us are aware of the expression “life is short,” but are we using it in a way that will allow us to shine as examples of the joy being children of God brings?

When we spend time complaining about people or situations in our families, at our places of work or in our places of worship, we are not showing the world the best that we can be. A little of our luster rubs off when we should be shining brightly, letting the rest of the world see the positive effects of living in God’s Word.

Complaining usually only serves to create feelings of anxiety, discord, stress and negativity. Most of us will find that, if we pray and then just be still, the things that we wanted to complain about will seem to work themselves out or their ability to affect us adversely will be greatly diminished.

We may even discover that the very situation has created a new opportunity for us, or that we have learned a valuable lesson.

After traveling in the desert of Shur for three days without water, the people of Israel came upon an oasis, but discovered that the water was bitter.

“And the people murmured against Moses saying, ‘What shall we drink?’” (Exodus 15:24 KJV).

Complaining is often our initial response to a situation we perceive as negative. When we find ourselves drawing in the deep breath we will use to carry our complaint, we should simply expel that air instead and turn to God for patience, guidance and assistance.

“Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.” (Exodus 15:25 NIV).

Trusting God to care for us at all times is an important step in eliminating our need to complain. Having faith that God is always with us and always watching over us helps us to shine brightly as Christians, creating a beacon for others to follow.

There will be times in our lives when the water will be bitter. Complaining cannot make it sweet, but trusting in God and asking Him for His help certainly can.

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Taken from “TODAY IS….A Gift From God”, (C) 2013 Tony Casson