I Cannot Stand This!

I am a wimp!

I am not a wimp when it comes to pain. Compared to others I think I have a very high pain tolerance. I am not a wimp when it comes to work. I think I can outwork many people. I drive a motorcycle, love hockey and I am a track official at the “Estevan Motor Speedway”. I like working on old motorcycles and cars and I always have a project on the go. I am not wimpy in those ways.

What am I a wimp about then?

I cannot stand complainers!

When people start complaining, especially about things that neither they nor I have any control over, I quickly lose interest in the conversation. There are many legitimate concerns in the world and if you have a real problem, I am glad to listen and help you in any way that I can. However, if you are just whining then you can see yourself to the door.

Maybe this is a character flaw of mine. Maybe I should be more patient and compassionate. However, I think I actually have some backup for this attitude. You see, God hates whiners too!

Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God”. Ephesians 4:29 is even more direct: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen”. In the Old Testament, as the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, God noted that they were “grumblers” and it was not a compliment!

Again, if you have a real need, I am the man to call.

If, on the other hand, you are choosing to ignore the thousands of good things around you so that you can talk about something that is negative, my calendar is booked. Please call again!

Now, I realize that it is a little ironic that I am complaining about complainers. I also understand that it is naïve to pretend that everything is great when it is not. I am not saying, “Stick your head in the sand”. What I am saying is that we all have a choice. I am choosing to focus on good and positive things simply because doing anything else just discourages everyone.

What are you choosing?

Comments

The Art of Noticing.... Seeing what we need to see and what we miss when we don't

What we focus on in life matters. Here are some scriptural reminders that will help us see correctly. https://youtu.be/Rn76tV0ZH8s

Consider This.... Which Way Are You Leaning?

When Ben Patterson agreed to join three friends climbing Mount Lyell, the highest point in Yosemite National Park, he did not realize what he was signing up for. Early in the day, it became clear that he was completely unprepared for the task. In an effort to keep up with his more experienced friends, Ben took a shortcut. It did not occur to him that there might be a reason the others had not selected this route, but he soon found out why. Ben became stuck on the glacier. He could not move up, down or sideways and one wrong move would send him sliding down a forty-five-degree slope to the valley floor miles below. That is when one of his friends came to the rescue. His buddy leaned over the edge and carved some footholds in the ice. He told Ben to step to the first foothold and immediately swing his other foot to the second, then his buddy would pull him to safety. Lastly, his friend gave him one more piece of advice....

Consider This: The Biggest Problem Is Not Out There!

In a time when everyone has a vocal opinion on everything and judgment is everywhere, maybe we need to reconsider the words of Jesus. “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5). Here are two observations to consider. First, when we look for what others are doing wrong, we are starting in the wrong place. “Take the log out of your eye” is the first move. Start with yourself! It is easy to judge others and make excuses for ourselves. Yet, that is completely backwards! If we are honest, we never get past making ourselves better. There is always more to do. This, then, leaves very little time to point out...

Consider this

Subscribe

Get new posts by email:

Search This Blog