It seems like there is a deficit of joy these days. Most of us, can find more things to complain about than to be joyful about. Most of us find it easier to complain than to rejoice.
It is easier to complain about our boss than to rejoice that we have a job.
It is easier to complain about what we are having for dinner than to rejoice that we have food to eat.
It is easier to complain about what we didn’t get what we wanted for Christmas than to rejoice that someone took the time to think of us.
It is easier to complain than to rejoice!
So how can we reverse this?
How can we choose to rejoice instead of choosing to complain?
We need to be thankful.
We need to be thankful for all the wonderful blessings that God has given us.
In the words of the old hymn, we need to count our blessings. We need to name them one by one.
I don’t know about you, but when I choose to be thankful and count my blessings it is very difficult for me to maintain my complaining attitude.
A thankful heart changes our attitude from complaining to rejoicing!
Do you find it easier to complain than to rejoice? What are you thankful for today?
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Sermon Synopsis 6/29 – Curbing Complaining
Sermon Synopsis 7/6 – A thankful heart curbs complaining
It is infinitely easier to quit than to endure
Do you look at life through positive or negative eyes?
3 attitudes that steal away our gratitude
No one else can take your turn
Count your blessings
Faith should change our attitude!
I say, yes and no. It is easy to complain, but I’m not so bad with “big” situations as I am with things like my kids leaving trash on the table or floor or little things like that. I’m working on it. I do rejoice that God gave them to me and all the joys that are wrapped up in them. That’s what I have to see. Thanks Kevin.
That is definitely the key Jason.
Thanks for sharing!
Oh I can totally understand. I really dislike negativity. Sometimes it seems like everyone around me is so negative, which of course, puts me in a negative mood. I want to be joyful, thankful and positive!
You hit the nai lon the head with this one. Misery loves company. I struggle with this as well.
It certainly does.
Those are 3 good things to be!
Thanks for sharing Jenifer!
This is definitely True! We ignored good things that are poured on us and focus on unlikely ones. We sometimes forget to think the other way around,keep our calm and breath.
Great points Lyka!
Thanks for sharing.
Just what I needed to remind me that my outlook on life is controlled by my perspective. I also think this is why it is crucial for Christians to make time daily to read His love letters to us. I find that when I contemplate on the words, I find my prespective of thankfullness changing.
God`s word can definitely change our complaining into rejoicing!
Thanks for sharing Gerald!
It’s so true! Somehow we manage to find every single thing that is wrong with the world instead of looking at ALL the blessing that we get each and every day. I don’t know if you are a parent but having my baby was such an eye opener to me.
Though I was never one to complain (too much lol), now I count and thank God for every single breath that my baby takes and every single smile that he gives me.
God will never give us something to break us, but just tests to make us stronger.
Bless you and your family!
Hi Cynthia:
Having children definitely is an eye opener of all our blessings. I am blessed with 3 daughters.
Thanks for sharing!
I think we complain so much because it is easier than being thankful. When we hurt, we target those things we perceive to be the cause of our hurt. We always forget about the things we have to be thankful about.
But complaining isn’t always a bad thing, as long as we understand that complaining is a privilege that shouldn’t be abused. Complaining to trusted individuals or even to oneself can be legitimate means to quickly deal with some of life’s problems. And I think if you do it well, you will always come back to remember the things you are thankful about.
I do find it easier to complain, but I try to look within and find a reason for it. That helps me be more thankful for the things I have in this world.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment loopy!
I agree with you about complaining not always being a bad thing. We do need to express how we are truly feeling BUT as you pointed out, we can’t just stay in that frame of mind.