NO WHINING!

Whining. Nothing frustrates me more. Well, stupidity might equally rank. For clarification, when I say stupidity, I am not referring to ignorant people. Ignorance can be mitigated, but there is no cure for stupid. Anyways, back to whining. For many years, my husband and I organized foreign mission trips for youth 16 years old and through college age. We traveled to many places including some third world countries. Taking a group of 35 or more youth, who the majority had never been out of America, had its challenges. We, however, only had one rule – NO WHINING!

*Whining does not fix or change anything.

*Whining comes from a miserable person and creates an atmosphere of misery for everyone nearby.

*Whining is negative.

*Whining comes from an insatiable moaner, grumbler, complainer.

Life deals everyone good and bad, happy and sad. This is not about the occasional days when things are less than expected, rather about the chronic whiner who never sees good in anything. Instead of waking up grateful for breath, they wake up complaining the sun is in their eyes. They gripe about their job rather than be glad they have a paycheck. Responsibilities are shirked in exchange for laziness, which is followed by complaints of all that needs to be done and excuses of why it is not done. There is no magical umbrella that prevents life’s rain from occasionally splattering us.

Reciting woes will never “fix it” or bring happiness. A whiner must come to an understanding that to be better, requires change. Even praying for God to give the desire of one’s heart has requirements. Psalm 37 preempts the desire by first stating, “Delight thyself in the Lord.” In other words, one must first be happy, pleased, joyful in God. A long face with whining lips will never be granted what is most desired.

Having been in ministry for a lifetime, I have witnessed the struggles of people. Unemployed, employed but stressed, married wishing they were single, single wishing they were married, depressed, financially bankrupt, chronic pain, abused as a child, abused as an adult, grief-stricken from loss of loved ones, mental illness, frustrated, impatient, frequent panic or anxiety attacks, afflicted, lonely, and the list can continue. What I have learned in observing these people, is their attitude and mindset has an overwhelming influence on their improvement or lack of overcoming. Understand this – there is no perfect life. Even prominent characters in the Bible had struggles. Paul had a thorn in his side, David suffered depression, Joseph endured rejection, Elijah faced fear, Jeremiah dealt with loneliness, and Christ experienced it all. No one understands better than Him, yet He continued to give, heal, save, and love. His enemies were also recipients of His goodness.

So, STOP THE WHINING! It will not twist God’s arm, it won’t give you what you want, it will cause people to avoid you, it will shelve your talents, and rob you of happiness. Your countenance reflects your spirit. Are you entering a room with a dark cloud over your head or bringing in a ray of sunshine? Do you present helplessness or hope to those around you? Until you learn to be content regardless of your circumstance, your grandiose dreams and wishes will be ever elusive. It is time to dig in the Word, accept God’s will for your life (NOT your will, but His), and be content therein.

As for me, any day this side of the dirt is a good one. This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and BE GLAD in it.

P.S. Here are a few scriptures to consider (all from KJV; emphasis mine):

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to BE CONTENT.” – Philippians 4:11

“But godliness with CONTENTMENT is great gain.” – I Timothy 6:6

“And we know that ALL things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28

“…they that seek the Lord shall NOT WANT any good thing.” – Psalm 34:10

“I CAN do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” – Philippians 4:13