Hello again,
Thank you for your visit. I was hoping to have one of these every day, but I couldn’t keep that promise. Sorry. Hopefully, keeping these promises will be easier.
Today I’m sharing my 9th Resolution for a Blessed 2011 – Complain Less.
This is one promise that I know I’m going to have a hard time keeping.
I catch myself complaining about everything – or rather, my wife catches me complaining.
I complain about the slow driver in front of me on the freeway.
I complain about the remote control being lost.
I complain about computer running too slow.
I complain about the toe on my foot that bothers me.
This, I’ve promised, has got to stop.
The Bible reminds us:
Ephesians 4:29 (King James Version)
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
What comes out of my mouth has to be something that edifies the listener.
What kind of a witness can I be when instead of talking about the good things that God has done for me, I’m busy complaining about the inconveniences of life?
What I told the congregation is that when we complain about something that bothers us, we are actually exalting that problem. We are giving importance to whatever we are complaining about.
This year, I’m going to exalt the goodness of God.
This year, I’m going to focus on what is right, and not on what is wrong.
This year, what comes out of my mouth will testify of what God is doing in my life.
This year, I’m going to complain less.
I would like to say that I will not complain at all, but I think in this case, I need to take baby steps.
I told the members of my church that I’m going to try and change my complaints into praises.
For example, instead of saying, “My toe hurts,” I’m going to say, “Praise God that nine of my ten toes don’t hurt.”
Instead of saying, “My mother-in-law is coming to visit for two weeks,” I’m going to say, “Praise God, for 50 of the 52 weeks of the year, my mother-in-law won’t be at my house.” (My apologies to mother-in-laws.)
I am going to not let the bad economy tempt me into complaining. Instead, I’m going to focus on God’s promises, and testify about them.
I know that when I complain less, I will be a greater testimony of God’s goodness, which will lead to a more blessed 2011.
How about you?
Have you noticed an increase in your complaints?
Can you promise to complain less?
One more to go.
See you tomorrow.
Thank you,
Blessed!
Sam