The secret antidote to a grumbling spirit

Brittney, "the complainer"

Is that how I would like to be known? Most definitely NOT! I'm sure we've all been around someone who complains endlessly... about their food they ordered... the way someone treated them... about the weather... about LIFE in general...? I know I have!...... Oh, wait- maybe I'm thinking of me...?

Yep... guilty as charged. I have been known to complain in the past- many, MANY times! Yesterday, my husband, very lovingly brought my grumbling to my attention. After my initial self-defense mechanism kicked in; I concluded he was correct. The subject of my gripe was exceedingly trivial... silly, even. There was really no excuse for my critical spirit.

Knowing how undesirable a trait I was developing, my brain immediately went to work to "remedy" my problem. "Why is it SO difficult to just STOP complaining!", I asked myself. And then, my mind went back to a very important lesson my mother taught me when I was young. She told me the "opposite" of being discontent was being grateful. That's why I couldn't seem to WILL myself to think more positively- because I was missing that key element... GRATEFULNESS. Whenever I begin thanking God for the good things in a situation, it is eminently more difficult for that disgruntled attitude to creep into my heart. Gratefulness simply leaves no room for unhappiness.

Helen Keller said,

"So much has been given to me,

I have no time to ponder over that which has been denied."

What an amazing attitude! Whenever I feel like complaining about "having nothing to wear", all I need to do is think of those who literally have nothing but the tattered and torn clothes on their back. How embarrasing would it be for them to hear my grosely exxagerated statement! Our late pastor Bro. Patton used to say, "Thank God for your toothbrush... some people don't have one!" He was right. We should not "be above" thanking God for those little things... it's then that we realize how vast our blessings truly are!

Whenever you are feeling a little "down in the mully-grubbs"... just start thanking God. Go ahead, TRY IT, and just see if it doesn't work for you too! Isn't it remarkable how praising and thanking God, does a miraculous inner working in OUR spirit? God created us with a void that can only be filled by giving Him thanks.

(The following are excerpts from "The Power of True Success")

"True gratefulness springs from an awareness of our total unworthiness and inadequacy before a holy and just God."

Gratefulness is defined by God as a sacrifice because it means surrendering our natural tendency to murmur.

"I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the LORD." -Psalm 116:17

When Should We Be Motivated to Be Thankful?

1. When we remember His name- (Psalm 92:1 & Hebrews 13:15)
2. When we remember His holiness- (Psalm 30:4)
3. In a special time of worship during the night- (Psalm 119:62)
4. During gatherings with other believers- (Psalm 35:18 & Colossians 3:16-17)
5. When surrounded by evil- (II Samuel 22:50)
6. When your faith is put to the test- (Daniel 6:10)
7. When in need of a miracle- (Matthew 15:36)
8. When eating a meal- (Acts 27:35)
9. When we see growth in another believer- (II Corinthians 8:16)
10. When remembering the saints in prayer- (I Thessalonians 1:2)