Was your day really as bad as you think it was? Before you answer, remember, things can always be worse.
In Jacksonville, we have these large trash cans we’re required to use. I love them because if I forget to 
take the trash out one week, it’s no big deal. I have plenty of room.
The other morning, as I’m leaving for work, I spotted a man trying to push a car. I’m assuming it was his wife’s, but I can’t be sure. Turns out the lady driving the vehicle was backing out of her yard and ran over one of the large garbage cans. It lodged beneath her car and lifted the vehicle just enough she could not get any traction to move. While the man tried to push the car forward, the wheels spun as if stuck on an icy road.
Within seconds a thought came to me. No matter how bad my day is going to be, chances are it will not be car-struck-on-a-trash-can bad. Imagine the phone call she had to make to her boss.
Some of us have a tendency to complain. A lot. I know I do. In reality, there isn’t that much wrong in our lives. Philippians 2:14-15 reads, Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky.
We like to look at what we don’t have, not what God has given us. We complain about having to get up in the morning and commute forty-five minutes to work. (Okay, maybe that’s just me.) We whine about traffic. (Could that be me only, also?) I should be grateful I have a car that runs. And a job to go to. A lot of people don’t.
Christians complain about what is on television, yet tune in. They complain about the books that are written, yet don’t put their money into Christian books. They complain about the minister not acknowledging them on Sunday morning and about the long line at Michaels.
We can find enough complaints to fill our days. Yet, we should be showing the joy of the Lord instead.
If we’d look more at what we have instead of what is missing, we might complain a lot less. We should be grateful for that long line in the store. It gives us an opportunity to talk with the people around us. Maybe even invite someone to church. It also means you were able to leave your house, whereas some people are homebound.
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Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won’t make us happier. ― Randy Pausch
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If we’d take a step back and realize there are ways to turn these complaints into a blessing, our lives would sure be a lot happier. I couldn’t help but think the other day that God was telling me that my day was not going to be that bad. And it wasn’t. After all, I didn’t get my vehicle stuck on a garbage can.
How about you?
If you or someone you know are in need of prayer this week, please let us know. We’d be more than happy to pray for you.
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Hello Kathryn, Yes,a person’s day could certainly be far worse; We have those big containers also for recycling; considering the size of the container, she must have had quite the ground clearance just to get it stuck there in the first place;
Returning to back to the main theme, I agree, I’ve had days where I am driving, and in no hurry to get from point A to B, found myself getting a little steamed because someone cut me off or was going way below the posted minimum speed; some times I catch my self and check my attitude at the curb and for those times I conveniently forget, I ask for forgiveness later in prayer.
I’m always having to catch myself grumbling in traffic. It’s hard, but you’re right about having to ask for forgiveness later in prayer. Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Ted.
Kathryn, I have a Blog now and still feeling around; granted, it’s more like stumbling around in the dark. I am trying to change my Word Press address and thought I had, but I missed something. I don’t want my name as part of address just my user name.
Ted
Anytime I have trouble with the internet, I always go look on Youtube. They seem to have a video for everything. Sorry I can’t be of help, but I am so technically-challenged, it’s ridiculous.
We all have our moments when it comes to technology, I certainly have had mine and no matter how far I think I have come; life in its cruel sense of humor puts me further back. The old one step forward, three steps back conundrum.