SHARE THIS POSTI challenge each of you to be positive and without complaint for 24 hours. For us to do this, we have to examine what we say. It will not be easy. As we identify a complaint that is coming out of our mouths, we need to correct ourselves by rewording the statement into something positive. For example, I get so mad when I step on a wet spot in the middle of the night that was left by our dog, Luppy. I can turn that around and say, “I’m so thankful that 95% of the time Luppy hits the potty pad.” You’d be amazed at how easy it is to turn a complaint into a praise.
Copout: I’m Just Being Real
Home is the place where we go to be real, right? God hears that reality. How much sense does it make to be kind to strangers and then have a sharp tone with our loved ones? Why do we give more grace to a stranger who bumps into us with a shopping cart, than our wife who just hit the back of our heel? We need to be kind to the people who are going to show up to our funeral someday.
Be Hospitable To One Another Without Grumbling. 1 Peter 4:9
When we forgive a stranger, we are assuming they did it unintentionally. But when we are impatient with a loved one, it is because we have a history together. We assume we know their intentions and after a few years, we stop giving them any grace and we just react.
God Has Known Us Since We Were In The Womb, And He Is Still Patient
We need to practice hospitality. How do we get good at something? Practice, practice, practice. Athletes throw, catch or hit a ball thousands of times behind the scenes before we see the results of their efforts. Our loved ones deserve the same grace that God extends to us.
Wisdom Is Coming Up With Solutions
I encourage you to identify what fuels your complaints. Turn those complaints into positive observations. You get happy in the same pants you got mad in. You might be surprised that as you focus on the positives in your life that your life begins to look and feel better. God is so good!!!
