On Wings Of Eagles

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Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Complaining

Ben had fallen into the habit of grumbling about this and that. He complained about the weather; he found fault with his friends and with the members of his family. He wanted to stop it, but somehow, as soon as anything would not go his way, he found himself grumbling again. Then he came across this verse:


"When thou hast truly thanked thy God


For every blessing sent,


But little time will then remain


For murmur or lament."




"I see now what the trouble has been," he told himself. "I've been grumbling so much that I've almost forgotten to be thankful for the things I have. Every time I find myself starting to complain about something I don't have, I'm going to say 'Thank You' to God for something that He has given me."


Ben found that the idea worked. It was much easier to keep out the grouchy, grumbling thoughts when he filled his mind with thankful ones. There simply was no room for the trouble makers, and after a bit they disappeared.


Ben was surprised, too, to see how many things a plain, everyday boy had for which to be thankful. There are many things like the sunshine, the flowers, his friends, his home, which he had been taking for granted. As he began thanking God for these things, he had a better appreciation of them.



14  Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 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.
-Philippians 2:14-15 (New Living Translation)






Dear Lord we pray that we would look at things in a positive way and not complain about things. In Jesus' name, Amen.

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