Do we dare complain?

Complaining. "It's so cold." "I'm tired." "This person annoys me." "I hate my workplace." "Why can't the schoolwork be easier." I venture to say that we complain in some form in nearly every conversation we have. Why do we feel such a need to emphasize our displeasure? Very simple answer. It's easy. It doesn't take thought or imagination. And also, we know that it's a way that we can connect with people. How many times do we spark conversations with random people with comments like, "Wow it's so hot! Isn't this horrible?" or "Aren't these lines ridiculous?" It is a sad state that humanity is in when the way we get to know each other is by discussing how horrible our lives are. Honestly aren't there better things that we can talk about? What happened to intellectual, mind-provoking conversations?

Now don't get me wrong. I am most definitely not an exception to this problem. I struggle with complaining daily. Here's a thought for all of us complaining-addicts: when you woke up this morning, you had no words to regret or look back on. Throughout the day, you made very important decisions...a lot of those decisions involved the words that you said. Did you say anything of meaning today? Or did you simply complain and gossip? Gossiping is another wonderful topic, but there's more space for that later. A very wise woman named Eleanor Roosevelt said something which has really impacted my life (I memorized it...it's that good!): "Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people." She hit the nail right on the head! What kind of mind do you have? Do you speak simply or do you venture to be deep sometimes?

Max Lucado presents a wonderful attitude towards things we could potentially complain about: “I choose patience… I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I’ll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long, I will thank God for a moment to pray.” What a counter-cultural way to think! Instead of complain...thank God??? It seems so strange.

An amazing evangelist named Wes Daughenbaugh once said in a church service I attended that he was making it his life-time goal to never complain. What a challenge! It's important to know that we can never fully achieve a non-complaining state (even if we achieve it with our words, definitely not with our thoughts)...so that's why refusing to complain is a daily decision. So I leave you (and myself!) with this challenge: thank God right now for something He's done for you and let that be your consuming thought today. But don't get discouraged when you complain (notice I said when)...God appreciates your effort!

So, carpe diem. Live today to its fullest potential. After all, you control right now.