Some days I wake up ready to complain. Complain because I didn’t get enough sleep, complain about the fact that a little decided to factory reset my cell while I was getting the short amount of sleep I did get, complain that I’m getting older and my muscles ache, complain I need coffee before I can function or think properly (okay that’s truth, not a complaint), complain, complain, complain. I then complain that I’m complaining too much, because complaining is actually a pet peeve of mine when others do it often. Complaints are a two way street, they can be good or they can become bad.

Complaining to acknowledge an issue is pretty much needed to begin a process of doing better. I feel like it’s what you do after the acknowledgement that matters. You could do one of two things. You could complain and fix, or you could complain and continue complaining. If you complain to fix that is an excellent quality you have and I urge you to continue on your path. If you complain to complain, I have some thoughts for you.

We have to understand the word complain and it’s affects on us to understand why I felt the need to share. Complaining is associated with behavior. Behavior is an action on which a person conducts their-selves. The behavior attached to complaining is usually negative. The affects negative behavior can have on your body, really aren’t limited to much. To my knowledge, it’s usually heart issues and mental health that are the biggest risks related to negativity.  Another thing that can happen when we find ourselves complaining a lot, is we open a doorway for self-pity to creep in. Once self-pity is in, the complaining is taken to another level. Example: My complaining about lack of sleep could easily turn into me yawning and looking drowsy which has people asking what’s wrong. Once someone asks me what’s wrong I could go into a whole spill of woe is me. Now that I’ve felt the attention self-pity brought me, I may cling to that feeling more and more. Suddenly my whole day has turned into a woe is me party, and I am the star!!

As much as I’d like to say this example isn’t true, I can’t. I’ve had days like this, not recently thankfully. So, as usual here I am to explain what I know best. (me). Before I asked Christ to enter into my heart some years ago I had an opportune time to allow self-pity to show up. Simply because, I didn’t know any better. I had no idea how much Christ could help with complaining, along with so many other things.

So how do we fix it? 1Peter 5:8 suggest we… Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. So why do we make that so difficult? Why would we rather find ourselves stuck in a situation surrounded with self-pity, than to simply cast our anxieties on HIM? I will tell you what I think. I think sometimes it has to do with the fact that we like how it feels for someone to feel sorry for us. If I’m too blunt with that and it hurts you, I apologize, it’s not my intent. But I really do feel we as humans crave attention, even if it’s negative. Since allowing Christ to enter into my heart though, it’s been different. Instead of craving the attention of people, I crave to give my attention to Him. It seems as though James 4:8 has been true for me. When I follow the instruction of Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, I am able to release the need for attention. Instead turning that around and seeking Christ.

As I seek His guidance through every complaint I face, I remember my mission to love. 1 Corinthians 13:5 reminds us that love does not dishonor others, it is not SELF-SEEKING, and it is not easily angered. 

Prayer: 

Complaining is an easy behavior to pick up. It also leads to other negative behaviors such as self-pity and we realize we do not want to go that route. Allow us to learn how to seek your guidance through our complaints. Remind us that complaints can be turned into a good thing if we are complaining to recognize an issue and we have a desire to fix that issue. Surround us with your love and remind us it’s okay to cast our anxieties to you. In Jesus name. -Amen.