You ever find yourself moping around with a “Woe is me” attitude? *Raises hand* I’m definitely guilty of it, especially when situations aren’t going how I think they should. But that’s life…nothing ever goes as planned without a few hiccups! I know mine hasn’t even after praying. Prime example: My husband and I prayed for a healthy and happy baby when we talked about starting a family. Yet, at 5 months old Mia was diagnosed with food allergies, and we’ve had to carry around an EpiPen ever since.
Through this ordeal I’ve found myself complaining about the following:
- EpiPens cost $300 and up, and she doesn’t even use them and they have to be replaced annually
- Skin tests
- Food challenges
- Extra precautions and planning just to eat out
- And so much more….
Now that Mia has grown out of some of her allergies and eating regular food I told my good friend the other day, “It seems like this child eats the same thing all the time.” She replied, “Well what does she eat?” So I started making a list of everything she eats and the light bulb (in my mind) goes off! Man, she actually eats a lot of stuff. I just never thought much about it. Then as I was naming the things she eats, God spoke to me saying, “Well what’s on your list?” I’m thinking, “Ummmm, what list?” Because I think I have a pretty diverse palate when it comes to food. Then it dawned on me, my thankful list.
So many times we take on the role of habitual complainers and don’t even realize it. Nothing is ever good in our life. We’re complaining about small things like traffic, to big things like failed relationships. But have you ever noticed when you take on this unwanted title, no one wants to be around you? You’re like a contagious disease that no one wants to catch so they just stay away.
But let me tell you, you don’t have to be a habitual complainer! It’s easy to be thankful and serve God when things are going good but what about when things aren’t going so well? Like when you’re running late and traffic is backed up, or your car breaks down, or you lose a loved one and now you’re heartbroken?
What then……?
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 says, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Rejoice Always. No matter what has or will happen to you, find joy in your situation. The happenings in your life will determine your happiness but your foundation of JOY should be in Christ! Having pure joy is something no one can take from you. No, life won’t be easy but joy will get you through it. It’s like medicine for your soul. {Proverbs 17:22}
Pray Continually. As life challenges you, just keep praying and trusting God. Even when you don’t think He’s listening – He is – even if you have unanswered prayers. But food for thought: Maybe God hasn’t answered your prayers just yet because you’re not thankful for what He has already given you. Why would He want to bless you? You’re ungrateful and using Him as a genie to get what you want? He’s a loving Father and wants to give you the desires of your heart, but He doesn’t want to be used. {Philippians 4:6}
Give Thanks. Just be thankful. We have so much to be thankful for no matter where we are in life. There’s someone who would love to be in our shoes yet we complain. God has us right where we need to be, to learn what we need to learn in this season of life we are in. Our “problems” aren’t really problems, but instead opportunities to be thankful. We just need to change our perspective to see God in every situation, both good and bad! {Psalm 100:4}
So the next time life hands us lemons and we can’t afford the sugar to make good ole Chick-fil-a lemonade, let’s create our Thankful List instead of complaining. Watch how different life will look as we trade in that habitual complainer title for a thankful heart. Let’s start today just by telling God, “Thank You!”, for waking us up and allowing us to see another day. I guarantee when you start your list, it will grow it no time!
Heroic Inspirations 