Proverbs 17:22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
WARNING I am up in my feelings today and this may be hard
for you to witness. Life is hard and I’m about to remind you of that fact.
I want to point out a few thoughts on posting things and
speaking before you think. I pray to speak life when I open my big mouth. It’s
an ongoing battle for me and if I’m honest I usually am on the failing
end. Being positive and speaking life
does not come “natural” for me. It takes practice and prayer and failure. So
its out of experience I’m calling out other complainers, If I notice it, it’s a
problem folks.
Here are just a few examples of the whining that triggered
this post. All of these face book status’s I witnessed yesterday. There were people complaining about the super bowl, this
team sucks that team should not be in the super bowl, what a waste of a super
bowl party, I'm sick of this weather, I
hope we are out of school because of the ice tomorrow, I hope we are NOT out of
school because we don't want to make up the days, The power is out, I can't
believe we won't have power until tomorrow, why is it taking so long to get a
branch out of the road, I can’t believe school would put our kids in danger
trying to get them there, etc…..Incessant
complaining is a disease and it’s contagious. While I could choose to hide your
updates or I could delete you, first I want to show a few examples of how your
life could be so much worse (and pray the ones who need it, including myself
are taking notes). Let’s take a walk, come put on the shoes of anyone who lives
with pain or loss that is unspeakable on a daily basis. Here are just a few REAL
life examples for you to ponder since you think the pootie super bowl was soooo
bad, and the horrible patches of ice sent you into a fit. Here we go:
Try to imagine yourself as the person suffering daily pain
that medication can't cure, or step into the shoes of a woman who watches her
soul mate suffer daily and can do nothing to turn back the clock and nothing to
save his precious memories. Go sit in the waiting room at yet another doctor’s office
for the 100th time to try and find out why you and your husband have
been unable to conceive the baby you are so desperate for. Imagine living the life of the family saying
goodbye to their son who has gone to heaven as barely a teenager this week. How
about the man who knows he is facing eternity way before he is ready, he knows he
will never see his daughters get married. Could you say goodbye to your family
because you know the disease you fought so hard against is taking your life? Imagine
trying to stay awake because you are exhausted from trying to keep breathing
with the pain? Could you look at your
wife/husband and kids and tell them you love them knowing that if you fall
asleep it may very well be the last time? How about this one, can you try to
teach your 2 year old to say the name of the brother he never got to meet when
he only recognizes him in a photo hanging in your entry way because tragedy
tore him away?
Today I invite you to think before you speak. It breaks my
heart that people jump so quickly on social media to spew their negativity and
spread that horrible attitude on to anyone who dares to log on. It’s contagious
and its wrong. I know I can’t make people SEE what they have, but I can point
out situations much worse than all of ours. Suffering is real and it does not care who you are, we are all one phone call from our knees that much I can promise. Use this post as a reminder to pray for the broken and suffering today.
If you are wondering if I’m referring to your status and are about to get defensive, don’t bother. The truth is
I don’t remember who posted what, and honestly, I myself am guilty of the
complaining disease at times. If you
really feel like you may have had a status I’m referring too I suggest you
pray. Pray to SEE real people living real pain. Ask Jesus to show you truth,
the truth hurts, but the pain of reality doesn't make it any less true. I understand that I can’t
make you change your attitude and your willingness to quickly find the down
side in every single situation, but I can show you the reality of living life
held in the grip of a mighty savior. I breathe by the grace of Jesus, that is
the only way I know. In conclusion, whether
it’s the pootie ball game or the crappy weather or stupid schools there will
always be opportunity to spread the complaints around. Just think before you
do, think about the people who actually have a reason to complain…..then go
check their Facebook and twitter news feed. You may stand amazed when you find way less complaints on
their page than your own.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it
flow the springs of life
Lord help me SEE you in all the seasons I have lived in my 30 something years. Help me not spread my grief around but instead the Joy you have shown me in my sorrow.
Family and Joy 2009
From one season to another I will praise with my mouth.
Family and Joy 2013
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ReplyDeleteI see nothing harsh or sanctimonious in her blog. The fact is, she's right. Complaining causes people to dwell on the negative. As she points out, she's been guilty of it, too--but in writing this article, she's hoping to be more aware of her short-comings. Why are you so opposed to someone pointing out the downfalls of negativity? As for judging, don't you realize that in pointing your finger at her, you have three more pointing back at you? You have judged her as harsh, sanctimonious, angry, and hateful. How is that any better than what she has said?
DeleteI was attempting to respond a comment referring to me as "hateful" and "harsh". I can't see how you came to that conclusion but you are certainly entitled to your opinion , as am I. I don't know where the comment went but you are welcome to repost it "boston boy". Although I did find it odd that you have no profile or any other posts. That leads me to believe you went to a lot of trouble signing up just to comment on this post. I am curious , did you read any of the others ?
ReplyDelete