Stop It

This is the time of year when I start setting goals and resolutions for the coming year. I don’t know why I do it because I don’t keep the resolutions very long and only accomplish a few of the goals. This coming year I think I will only set up one goal or resolution. That would be to quit complaining and be thankful more. I don’t think I’m alone in needing to set this as a priority for next year. I have just been more aware lately how many times I complain about so many different areas in life, especially when it come to dealing with others. Since starting to really notice this, I see others doing it also. I’m sure we don’t realize how much we do complain, and some don’t do nearly as much, but over all I don’t think God would not be too happy with us when we’ve got it so good in this nation of freedom and opportunity.
    I checked online at a site that has sermons on every subject from all religious groups and there were several sermons on the subject of complaining. Some dealing with the prodigal son’s brother who had it good but did not like to see his brother have the same privileges he had. Others were on Jonah, who reluctantly went to Nineveh, and when they repented, and God had compassion on them, he complained to God to the point of becoming angry enough to die. These are just a couple of examples of biblical characters who were complainers.
    We know God doesn’t like complaining because he tells us in Philippians 2:14-15, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” Complaining really serves no good purpose and usually causes us to sin if we let it go too far. The strange thing is that there are some people who seem to be the ones that may have the right to complain, but they refrain from it, and do stand out as great examples.
    I believe if we just keep busier and don’t worry so much about what others are doing, it will cut down on our complaints. And we will be a happier group of people. I hope you all have a great thanksgiving.

— Jim Keevert
   
Consider — www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/