Skip to main content

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

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

New Article: Grace Changes Everything

               A young man broke into a business and did $5000 damage. As part of his Restorative Justice sentence, he was required to meet with my friend Garth.   Garth believes in making apologies and restitution.   It took several months, but Garth finally convinced the young man that these were necessary steps, so he tried to arrange a meeting with the business owner.                The business owner wanted nothing to do with this situation.   He was angry and wanted a more severe form of justice.   Eventually, however, he agreed to meet the young man to hear what he had to say.                  The young man looked the business owner in the eye an...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: We need a Better Scorecard

                   “Is that a Sun Ice?”                “Excuse me,” I said.                My friend pointed to my new ski jacket and asked again, “Is that a Sun Ice?”                It was 1991 and Sun Ice was the big name in ski wear at the time.   “No” I replied, “I can’t afford one of those”.                “Oh” he said as he lost interest and then just walked away.                I had not seen this friend in more than a year and, sadly, his first ...
Post a Comment
Read more

New Article: Surprised by God

                 We would be shocked if we could hear the Bible for the first time again.   On every page, something unexpected happens.   The only reason we are not surprised is that the stories are so familiar to us.   Think about some of the unexpected interactions that God has had with his people.                For example, every culture has stories about a creator, but none imagined that God would become part of the creation.   That the creator would lower himself and become human is surprising, to say the least.                Not only did he become one of us, but he also came as a baby.   A tiny, helpless, baby!   If I wer...
Post a Comment
Read more