DO NOT COMPLAIN
I am always praying to open my eyes and my heart that I might see the path that the Lord has chosen for me. I struggle with what is the path the Lord has chosen for me versus the path that I want to follow. I can not discern the words in my brain as his or mine. With that in mind, I have read a couple devotionals, heard a sermon, and had people talk to me about complaining. Do Not Complain! This has been coming at me from several directions lately, so I have perked up my ears. But, I don’t consider myself a big complainer. I have been frustrated over the new software that Plunder Designs have implemented, but other than grumbling a little, I have not really “complained.” So why would I keep getting this message thrown at me?
On the drive to Livingston, I was listening to the radio, and I had it on The Message station. I was loving listening to the inspirational songs when it occurred to me that the message I was getting might not have even been meant for me, maybe it was meant for YOU. I have asked the Lord to use my blog as his platform, to guide me in my topics. I am trusting in His voice, in is words.
November is going to be here in a couple of weeks. I know a lot of people have gratitude journals where they list something every day that they are grateful for. I have been thinking about this a lot lately. It is easy to say I am grateful for the members of my family. It is easy to say I am grateful for good health. One of the things I am most grateful for is the fact that the Lord sacrificed His son for us. He died for my sins, how can I complain?
The Lord provides for us all in different ways. Complaining is like telling the Lord he is not doing a good job. I am well fed. I have a roof over my head. I have a wonderful family. I am healthy. I am loved. There is a song that we sing in church that goes:
I trust You Lord to provide for me, and I trust You Lord that you have a path in mind for me. I know that our paths will not be problem or trouble free, but I trust that you will hold my hand through the worst storm.
I can’t believe all the inspirational topics and relevant stories and challenges you have. I am 73 years old. I am stylish and fairly intelligent , but I need to stay on track in my thinking and trending. I am grateful to you, Tania , for your faith and blog. Keep it up!
I am so glad that you like my blog, Julie!!!
I love your blog!! It’s like reading a good book that I can’t put down!! And I love that it includes the Lord and how He works in your life!! It’s so refreshing!!
Thank you, Tania for opening your heart to listen to what the Lord is speaking to you to share. He has been convicting me of this very thing. Your words and song were on spot. Blessings and hugs!
My dear Tania, I liked your message today. However, I need to ask……are you in control of the “ads”to the right side of your blog pages? I was shocked this morning to see an ad for a book “Misreading Judas”! Any true Christian Believer knows that this type of book is total heresy and insults any of us who truly know our Lord, Jesus. This book, even in it’s intro description on the ad is saying that Jesus is NOT the only true God. Whoa! Sorry….but a person cannot be a Christian IF they believe this as it completely defies not just The Word of God (Bible) but what Jesus actually said. These ads on the blog need to be controlled, if this is possible as we sure don’t want to mislead anyone about His Word. Thanks and please do not take this as an attack on you, as I truly hoping that you did not realize it appeared on your blog today. Blessings.
Thank you I love Guy Pernod, love Gaithers Gospel, and I grew up with these Hymns still know them all . Love your Sunday Post . From Oz. Xxx
I am thankful my adult children and their families take time out of their very busy week to come nearly every Sunday for brunch. This is such a special time for all of us to visit and enjoy a meal together. I am so very blessed in many ways and am guilty of complaining more than I need to. My goal is to monitor it by spending my time on gratitude for all the wonderful things in my life. Thanks for the reminder to focus on my blessings.
I am thankful for the way you use your blog to speak of your faith.
Tania I look forward to your post on Sunday. Thank you for reminding me how blessed I am ?
Hi Tania. This is a wonderful post. I admit, I sometimes need a gentle reminder to count my many blessings. I am blessed beyond belief. My mother had a fall in August. Although the recovery has been slow, she is making progress. The fall could have been much worse. I am SO grateful she is here with us and recovering. Thank you for sharing yourself with us on the blog. I am glad you were led to do it! God bless you and your family.
Thank you for the reminder. I think of this quite often on my own but it never hurts to hear it from someone else. The time that I try to remember this is when everything seems to be going wrong. I have so much to be thankful for, but we tend to forget this when we become dissatisfied with the things in general. One of the things I have to be thankful for today is blogs like yours, You have taken your time to share this precious nugget with us today.
Amen! I am so thankful for a God that loved me enough to take on all my sins and die on a cross so I might have everlasting life!
i am thankfull for the many christian friends i have, yourself included that helps to guide me and get my mind right when i lose sight of how blessed i am and i start that old grumbling and complaining routine!! I am blessed to have a true, wonderful lifetime friend that even after a major health crisis that turned her life upside down she still continues in her faith and praises Gods name. What has happened to her has changed my life in so many ways. I lost my co-worker when she had to decide she could no longer work, but it also opened my heart up to what is most important in life, it changed me, I will never take life or health for granted again. I will continue to praise Gods name even when i don’t understand His plan. So today I guess i am thankful for the trials we go through that changes us and brings us closer to Him!
Wow Tania! I needed to hear this today. Thank you for sharing from your heart. We casually say thank you to God everyday, but often we do want more & complain a little. Thank you for your honesty & challenge to us to do better. I enjoy your posts so much ?
I am thankful for my family and friends, my home, always having food to eat and that the Lord is looking over my family and friends. I’m also thankful for your posts, I’ve gotten out of my yoga pants rut.
What a wonderful reminder and way to start the day. I am a terrible complainer. I don’t even realize I’m doing it 99% of the time. But I know it effects my outlook and my mood. I am working hard to stop. I have so much to be grateful for. I have a good job, nice home, healthy kids and grandkids and my 92 year old dad is still independent and healthy. How could I possibly complain?
Thank you for the lesson. One I needed.
I lost my job a few years ago, after 25 years of work, due to downsizing. At first I did A LOT of complaining. My mother suffered a terrible illness and since I wasn’t obligated to a job every day I was able to spend my time with her. She recently passed away. I now am most thankful that my job ended when it did. I believe God knew the future and He made it possible for me to spend the last two years with my mother, something I am absolutly thankful for. Lesson here is that even though we don’t know the future and can get worried and complain that things aren’t going our way ,God knows what is best for us and if we can learn to trust Him then worry and complaints are not needed.
So very much needed that. I am recovering from surgery 6 weeks ago and for some reason its not happening on my timetable. So ready to get up and go but tried yesterday and over did. I know I need to remember everything in Gods time. I want to start a gratitude list even if it just on my phone to remind me daily of all the blessings around me. I know you are enjoying your family this weekend. Top of my list, nothing in the world like grandchildren to be thankful for! Enjoy your time. Oh I received my Rodan and Fields samples yesterday. I will text you after I use them.
I’m thankful that Jesus died on the cross to save us from our sins & that we might have eternal life. And I’m especially thankful for the religious freedom we have in our country. I’m thankful we can attend our little fundamental Bible country church, without fear of persecution. And most thankful for our Sunday School teachers that teach our small group of children all about Jesus, as they are our next generation. Praying everyone will have a blessed and meaningful Sunday!
I am grateful to have the affirmation today that we are drawn to certain people for a reason. Even at the times drawn without explanation….Thank you for your inspiring words!
Your post really spoke to me. Looking back over my last few months, your thoughts convicted of my complaining. I have so much to be thankful for. I have a God who loves me so much he sacrificed His Son in exchange for the forgiveness of my sins.
This is a wonderful post. I have so many things to be thankful for but I’ll start with my church family. We’ve been going to this church for 2 years and are blessed with a fantastic pastor who preaches what we need to hear from God’s word.
I too am guilty. Not a lot, but enough. Myhusband has been going through some health issues the last 3 months and that has led me take on all the responsibilities plus work full time. I get tired and that’s when the complaining starts. But I have so much to be thankful for! Praise God! I know that He is always with me and guides me and will never let me go. I can’t “do life” without Him. Thanks for the reminder.
I am so thankful that no matter my what happens, no matter if I complain or am gracious, He continues to bless me far more than I could ever deserve. Thank you for this message!
What a wonderful message. Oh yes, I am guilty of complaining.
I am thankful God continues to work in my life. I struggle daily to stay focused on a diet and thankful He walks with me each and day, showing it more about the journey than number on the scale.
Have a blessed Sunday!
Staying focused day after day is hard, Audrey. The Lord is always there for us, he is close by at all times.
Thank you for this message. I am thankful for my family and friends …. but I do complain way too much. Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!
Thanks Sandy. I know we are all probably guilty of complaining way more than we should.
I must tell you that there are very few blogs that I would actually READ a full post, but I DO yours. You just hit home for me! Like the other reader said, I needed this! I am thankful that the Lord led me to your blog and your Sunday messages.
Jeanie, that is so sweet. Thank you for reading and following along.
Thank you Tania for this reminder. I have kept a gratitude journal for over a year and it really helps me put things into perspective when I do complain……and “I” do complain. I have been going through a six year personal battle that I wonder if it will ever end. I do thank God for this trial as it has brought me closer to God and I have learned so many scriptures because of it. I do know God is using my trial for his Glory. (Romans 8:28) Several years ago I made a commitment to myself to pray more for other people than myself. By doing that, it takes the focus off of my crap. When I start getting anxious, I start praying for people individually and that really helps me see there are so many people experiencing worse situations than I am. I will keep you Tania and your readers in my prayers. As far as listing what I am thankful for…..oh how I have a list but the one I’m most thankful for is Jesus being my Savior because I couldn’t face these trials without my personal relationship with him. The second would definitely be “my good health”. Have a fantastic Sunday. ~Lisa~
Lisa, I am happy to hear you are looking for the silver lining in your trials. That is a hard lesson to learn, especially when you are still in the midst of the trials. I try to pray for others, I have been so blessed.
Eighteen months ago my son Joe, who is now 17, was diagnosed with a medical condition for which there is no cure. His life has been turned upside down, he has to have hospital treatment every seven weeks and on top of this, multiple doctors appointments but he faces it all with such good grace. I have cried many tears in private but he is so upbeat he puts me to shame. I am grateful for his sweet and positive nature.
Caroline, I can not even begin to imagine your pain. I know you need to have a brave face in public, but the Lord knows your pain and he is with you. I will say a prayer for your son and your family.
I am convinced that the Lord led me to you blog and for that I am very grateful! You make me smile each day. Your Sunday posts give me something new to work on every week which in turn helps me to be a better person. Have a wonderful Sunday!
Thank you Carla. I am convinced that the Lord led me to start a blog. There was no reason for me to ever even think about a blog, it has to have been His will.
Thank you for sharing this..I am so guilty of complaining
Philippians 4:19
But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
In 2011, my health had declined enough that my doctors took me out of work permanently. I am/was a 2nd grade teacher and loved my job. Two years later, my husband got hurt at work and was in almost the same situation I was already in. It wasn’t long before my long-term disability payments were stopped. Even though it has been very hard sometimes, our faith has remained strong. We have done without NOTHING! I thank God for keeping His promise and taking care of us.
The Lord does provide. I hope you and your husband are doing better. Change is not easy to accept.