August 2019 Articles

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Spiritual Corner: Thanks or Complaints?

Spiritual Corner: Thanks or Complaints?

I want you to stop and think for a moment. How often do you complain? I’m afraid that my answer would be embarrassing. Just today I was complaining because we had a lot of leftover pizza that I had already eaten the past two days and I wanted something different. I stop and think about that complaint now and I am embarrassed. How many people in this world would feel lucky to have a fridge full of leftover Johnny’s pizza? How many people go to bed hungry at night, wishing for just one piece of that pizza while I’m over here complaining, thinking it’s not good enough. I’m afraid that many of us probably fall into the habit of complaining. Sometimes I think the mobile home I live in is getting too tight. Then I think about how it would be considered luxurious to some people. I believe this life is all about our mindset. If we choose to look at a situation negatively, then our life will be filled with complaints and unhappiness. However, if we instead choose to look at a situation with a positive attitude then we can see ourselves as blessed and our life will be filled with joy and thankfulness. No matter our current situation, God has blessed all of us. He has given us the two greatest gifts: the gift of life and the sacrifice of His only Son, Jesus Christ, so that we may one day have eternal life. Regardless of the material things we possess or lack, we are tremendously blessed. I have found also that if we live our lives in thankfulness, we will indeed be more joyful and our lives will seem beautiful. If we live our lives complaining, then we will inevitably dwell on the negatives and our lives will seem depressing. Our attitude and perspective are key in this situation. Is our glass half full or half empty? We not only should strive to have a good attitude for the sake of how it effects our outlook on life, but also because God wants us to be content in our circumstances. It says in 1st Timothy 6:6 that “godliness with contentment is great gain”. I know it seems like true contentment in this life is difficult, but when we cling to God, it is achievable. Paul said in Philippians 4:12-13, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength”. When we strive to be truly content in our lives and lift up prayers of thanksgiving instead of grumblings and complaints, our lives become infinitely better. We have better attitudes, better relationships, and others start to see the love and joy of Christ reflected in us. It may not always be easy to whisper a “thank you” to God whenever we spill our coffee (because aren’t we glad we even have coffee to begin with?) instead of groaning in frustration, but we know that we can always turn to Jesus to help us be better each day, to be more thankful and joyful and less critical and ungrateful. And with this new mindset of gratefulness, I promise you that our life and the life of those around us will be better due to the joyfulness of Jesus that will radiate from the praise of our lips. --Dana Alexander