WHAT IF EVERYTHING YOU COMPLAINED ABOUT DIDN’T EXIST
Things do not always go as planned. You might have read my post yesterday about Joe and me celebrating our 34th wedding anniversary. We don’t usually buy each other gifts or do anything special, but this year would be different. This year we had plans. This year we were actually going to do something special. This year, we were going to celebrate our anniversary by going to a tropical destination.
You might have picked up on the word “were” instead of me saying that we “are.” Once again, this year has claimed another trip from me, and I have not been happy about the situation. In fact, I’ve been bummed about it, and I’ve fussed, complained, and even shed a few tears.
There were a lot of factors that contributed to the trip being canceled. Of course, COVID-19 is always on your mind when it comes to traveling, especially when you have to get on a four-hour airplane flight. But, that alone was not enough to make us cancel our trip.
I had many work and blog obligations that were a concern since I wasn’t sure about the wi-fi capabilities of the place we were going to. Then, I had some delays with clothing making it a struggle to get enough photos taken for the amount of time we were going to be gone.
In the end, we decided that the risks were greater than the reward, and we would have more opportunities to travel in the spring. Hopefully, by the time we get ready to take another trip, there will be a vaccine, and I will be better prepared.
You might be wondering what any of this has to do with a Sunday post, and here it is…complaining. I have been complaining for weeks. I’ve been grumbling under my breath, and I’ve been a total jerk to Joe because I’ve been MAD. I “wanted” to go on this trip, and I’ve been planning and dreaming about the trip since March. I’ve canceled trips to Dallas, Texas, two trips to Florida, one to Las Vegas, I haven’t seen my family in Tennessee since Christmas, and I am sick and tired of staying home all of the time.
Yep, that is complaining. This entire week, every time that I opened a devotion, listened to an online sermon, or written down Bible verse in my journal, it was on complaining or arguing.
Philippians 2:14-16
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 15 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 16 as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
This verse was the first one that I read after we decided to cancel our trip. My 7-year-old granddaughter was visiting, and she wanted to know what I was writing. We sat down together and read the verse and then discussed what it meant. You would have thought that I would have put two and two together and realized that this verse was meant for me.
Exodus 16:8
8 Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”
Then, I came across this verse, and the pieces of the puzzle started to take shape. I was guilty of complaining and grumbling, just like the Israelites. The Lord provided for the Israelites, but they constantly complained instead of worshiping how good the Lord had been to them. They forgot all the Lord had done and all of the promises that He had given them. Instead, they grumbled and complained, and that invoked the Lord’s wrath.
I realized that I had to start worshiping the Lord even though I was disappointed. Hurt and disappointment are emotions that we all will experience, but it is “MY” reaction to those emotions that can make the difference.
What if I had chosen to thank the Lord for keeping my family safe and healthy during a time when a pandemic is claiming the lives of so many? What if I had chosen to thank the Lord for giving me a business that is doing well at a time when so many have lost their jobs? What if I had said, “I am sad that I don’t get to go on a dream vacation, but I am thankful that the Lord is watching over me and I worship His Holy name?”
The Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years when their journey could have been only a few days. Was it because they grumbled instead of worshiping the Lord? Would their journey have looked different had they chosen to worship the Lord even when eating something tasteless and blah? Had they worshiped the Lord instead of making other idols, would their journey have ended differently?
You might not be complaining about a missed vacation, but are you grumbling about something else instead? “These kids are so messy.” “All I do is clean this house, and it is a messy wreck again.” “My boss is driving me crazy.” “I sure wish that my husband would pick up his dirty clothes.” What if everything you complained about didn’t exist? The kids, the house, the job, or the husband; what if they were all taken away?
ISAIAH 25:1
Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things, things planned long ago.
Yes, things will always get on our last nerve, and we will find ourselves grumbling and complaining. We are only human, and we will never be perfect. Hopefully, once we catch ourselves complaining, we can turn those complaints into worship and our grumbling into praise. Our Heavenly Father is faithful, merciful, and deserving of so much more!
To God Goes The Glory!
Have A Blessed Day!
Boy, am I going to be much more grateful in the coming weeks,…thank you for sharing your shortcomings,…that is hard, but I sure do appreciate it and relate!
Thank you for your post on complaining. I am grateful.
Oh my gosh – I completely relate to this! I, too, have found myself grumbling – more in my head to myself, but also to my loved ones – about how I feel like I am ‘grounded’ and have to stay home. Home is such a gift, loved ones are a gift, and I needed this message from you – so there is another gift! Thank you for being so open and sharing this. Knowing I am not the only one feeling this way, and that the real focus needs to be on our blessings and on God is just what I needed. Thank you!
Oh wow, this blog is do very timely for all of us disappointed and discouraged folks during Covid. Our Governor just locked down our state again and we are all so sick of it! But praise God my family is all well!
Amen. I enjoy all of your posts but Sunday’s are the best. Thank you for sharing your faith in such a public setting. It brings encouragement and hope to those of us in need.
Thanks for your reminder to thank God for all that is good in our lives. It’s so easy to find something to complain about. We truly need to give thanks for our lives and if we are suffering, pray for ourselves and others who might be in need. In all things,give thanks.
Thank you for this. I sure needed to hear it. I’m a tired teacher, and very frustrated because things are not perfect, and I feel overworked right now due to the pandemic, but I must remember how blessed I am. Grumbling will only make things worse. I’m so lucky to have a job. My family is together and healthy. Thank you for this humbling reminder to be grateful. God is good!
Thank you so much for this! I just love your devotions! I needed this as I complain about not being able to have a huge birthday celebration for my son who turns 21 in December. I have been planning this party for years. But, I have so much more to be thankful for and will thank the Lord!
I’ve never been so happy as to be blessed with the stay at home gene. I’ve traveled and I’ve stayed home and honestly and truthfully the stress of flying and traveling and hard mattresses and thin blankets, coupled with the stress of open suitcases disgorging their contents everywhere on return home has made me realize I’m so much happier without all that! We have only a tiny family now — a we all are at most a few hours by car apart but we are all in the same time zone and we can talk or text to catch up when we want to. So where’s the beef? It’s other people who look upon you aghast that you’d rather sleep in your own bed and cook your own food. I got a light bulb go on over head reading your post. The Lord put me here and by His grace I’m content. I can only imagine Israelite moms saying to Israelite dads “ you want to go where!?! We just got here. So you want another trip? Well just start packing Mister because I’m staying right here!” Or as my Texas grandma would say Raht cheer. Amen.
Hi Tania,
Thank you for this wonderful reminder, we have so much to be thankful for.
Thank you so much for this post. This couldn’t have come at a better time for me. We are all feeling the so called “Covid Fatigue” and are so tired of being in and away from activities we need and love so much. Last weekend was a big one for me as far as complaining and feeling sorry for myself over things that had been cancelled and the reality that the holidays are not going to look like we want them to this year. My daily devotional was about this type of anger so I made the decision to face my attitude directly. I vowed that for the week anytime I felt these feelings I would look for the positive. This attitude and prayer have made a great change in my mindset this week. I did it for a week. Now I will try for week #2. Your post made me realize that I am not alone. Thank you!
Tania, thanks for sharing your heart. What a great lesson for all of us who grumble! And, yes, why can’t we remember the Israelites,….am I the only one guilty of thinking “I would NEVER do that” when reading about them? We are them,….ugh. But thank our precious Savior for His GRACE which I need each and every day,….
I’ve been guilty of thinking that too. Why couldn’t they see that the Lord was there for them? Why did the disciples fall asleep instead of waiting for Jesus? Why did Peter deny the Lord 3 times? It is so easy to think that WE would never do that, but we probably would. Thank goodness the Lord extends His grace and His mercy to us.
I needed that scripture today; thanks for sharing it.
Phil. 2:14-16
I needed that scripture too, Marilyn.
Thank you so much for this post. It reminds us all of all the things we have to be thankful for during this Covid19. I will try to be thankful rather than complain. Your posts are wonderful. Keep it up. Also, what version of the Bible did your quotes come from?? I love how it is put in understandable language for todays living.
I am glad that you enjoyed the post. Most of the time I use the NIV version.
Thank you, Tania, for this post today! I really needed to see this in writing as I’ve been grumbling too because of Covid. You’re right! What if everything I’ve been grumbling about went away? I’d be devastated. Thank you for reminding me that my life is wonderful! All Glory to God this Sunday!
The thoughts of everything disappearing really stopped me in my tracks.
Heat meaningful post, Tania.
Thanks so much.
Thank you!
You’re welcome.
Guess I really needed to hear that today too! Christmas this year is stressing me out because of COVID and traveling. Thanks for the devotion today.
Christmas can be a stressful time of the year normally, but this year has added even more reasons to be stressed.
I always look forward to reading your Sunday devotionals. Bless you.
Thanks for reading and commenting!
I am going through the same thing here in Fl….my trips have been canceled, we have done anything since March that includes shopping! Not even to Target, Walmart, and Publix we have been doing order online and pick up! The only thing that has saved me is FaceTime to my others kids and the Beach (social distancing of course).I’m only 62, this shouldn’t be happening ….I am immune compromised and so is my husband! And now we are back in the same situation again with COVID! My son lives 10 miles away and we have not even seen him except through our glass doors. So, I wanted to thank you for your post this morning. I really needed to read ALL of it!
Leslie, you and your husband really need to be vigilant. I am praying that this won’t last much longer and we can go back to a semi-normal life.
Wow! I needed this today. The last few weeks have been absolutely horrible. My aunt passed away from Covid. My mom and sister were hospitalized with it. My mom was readmitted a 3rd time last night. There hasn’t been much gratitude in my heart lately. Thanks for sharing this message. It sure hit home today.
I am so sorry, Connie. I am saying a prayer from your family. You have sure been touched by this horrible disease, and I understand how remembering to be grateful is hard.
I’ve been grumbling and complaining for a few days about Thanksgiving. Thank you for reminding me about what is really important here; my family has health and we all have the means to celebrate albeit without being together. I went to bed last night thinking of my parents and the years during WW 11 when they suffered loss and pain. God provided then as he does now. Love your posts!
Linda, it is not what we are used to, and it is easy to fall into the trap of complaining. But, we need to remember that this is “right now,” but not “forever.” God does provide, and we need to be thankful.
I too use the “Risk vs want/need” approach when making decisions during Covid. I have cancelled 3 trips and now am facing the decision to travel or not to see grandchildren between Thanksgiving and Christmas. My son just left for a one year deployment and I would love to help my daughter in law but I also do not want to contract or spread the virus by traveling. I also have a daughter who is a nurse working on the front lines of health care!
These are extremely trying times for all of us! I just want to do the right thing. I pray for an end to this virus!!!
It is sure hard to choose the smart decision, versus the heart decision. I am trying really hard not to let my “wants” lead me to make the wrong decision.
WOW, you just knocked it out of the park!!!
I Pray that I will do more Worshipping than
Complaining, God is So Good!
It is a habit that I need to get into doing.
Thank you for today’s reading…it could not have come at a better time. My husband and I have had to cancel a few trips, plus not seeing friends has really been hard…and a few other things. This has given me a new perspective and reminded me to stop complaining when so many other people are suffering over things much worse.
That is what I thought too, Judy. Canceling a trip is nothing in comparison to losing a loved one.
I just found your blog last weekend and find it so helpful for so many reasons! I love the style suggestions. God is using you to speak to women everywhere!! Thank you for doing what you do!
Thanks, Ruth. I am so thrilled that you found my blog and are enjoying it.
Perfect timing. Thank you.
I am glad that you enjoyed the post.
Your story hit home today, thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Kelly, for reading my Sunday posts.
Oh just what I need to read today! Thank you for the reminder! 💐
I am glad that this post was meant for you.
Thank you for this TIMELY post.
I am glad that you liked the post.
Tania, thank YOU for a beautiful and meaningful blog
today. It seems that lately I wake up complaining instead of Thanking the Lord that I woke up, the sun is
shining and my family is safe and healthy. May God bless you and Joe for the next 34 years! Happy anniversary to both of you.
I think that most of us are guilty of this. We easily forget all that we have and focus on what we don’t have.
Wow! This was written just for me. Thank you!
Me, too, Jackie!
Beautiful! Thank you.
I am glad that you enjoyed the post, Sally.
Thank you for this post today I needed this! Keep up your great work!
I needed this today!! I have not been saying alot but inside my heart I was complaining and letting it get to me!! Today I am going to try my best to just put it all in Gods hands. Thank you for your post today!! It was so needed!!
Irene, I do that a lot too. I think that if I don’t verbalize my frustrations, that it is better. But, the Lord still hears my complaints, even if others don’t. UGH! That is something that I need to work on also.
You absolutely have the best devotionals. It really lifts my heart. Look forward to reading them each Sunday.
Patti, you are the sweetest. Thanks so much.
I am glad that you liked the post, LuAnn.
I am truly sad for you as you chose work over experience. All of your followers should understand and be willing to accept “I am on Vacation” will reconnect in a couple of weeks. Never give up experiences, you can’t recreate them.
Lanell, I’m not choosing work over experience. Instead, I’m choosing to not take unnecessary risks for something that I can do later. If it was a “needed” trip, instead of a “wanted” trip, then I would re-evaluate the risk. I do take my work seriously, and that played into my decision, but it was not the deciding factor.
I can certainly understand and sympathize! My husband and I were supposed to be celebrating our 30th in Ireland in may and COVID messed that up too! Oh, well…what can you do?
Rhonda, we can acknowledge the hurt, aggravation, and frustration, and then we move on and worship the Lord for giving us many more opportunities in the future.
Wow—perfect words to read today…
Thank you and Bless you 😊
I am glad that you enjoyed it, Cindy.
I hit the menopause and just wanted to give up but finding your blog on Pinterest especially your faith has helped me get back up and take care of myself both inside and out -thank you
Elaina, thank you so much for this comment. It does my heart good to think that I help other women, and your comment helps me!