Gratitude In Your Attitude

Proverbs 4:23 Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
We have all been around someone who is prone to complain. They complain so much that sometimes you wonder if complaining is the only thing that makes them happy. Truth be known we have all been that person at times. But here’s another truth. God actually hates complaining. When we complain, it demonstrates a lack of faith in God‘s promises, provision, and sovereignty. 
Does that mean we should keep our mouths shut and pretend things are good when they aren’t? Well, that depends on if you are complaining or lamenting. What’s the difference? Take a listen.

Transcript

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Hey friends, this is Jesse B, and thanks for listening to this episode of Unfiltered. Jumping right in with our scripture focus, which is found in Philippians chapter two, verses fourteen and fifteen. Do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. Have you ever been around somebody who is just prone to complaining? Complain, complain, complain, they complain so much that it seems that they're not happy unless there is something to complain about. And it's the same ones that, by the way they talk, you would think that they are the only ones in the world who have problems, or if not, their problems trump everybody else's. Now we all know someone who is that person, but truth be known, we have all been that person at times. Now, granted, we can all find plenty of things to complain about these days, but when it becomes a way of life, we may be hurting ourselves more than we realize. I didn't know until I was researching this that there is such a thing as a complaining spirit. The complaining spirit could be defined as habitual grumbling, fault finding, and discontentment. Another way to describe would be an emotional virus that shifts focus from blessing to perceived lack or disability and ultimately fuels a sense of entitlement, increased anxiety, and erodes peace. Complaining is not only annoying to others, but it is often tied to a lack of faith and rebellion against God's sovereignty and provision. And when it's used in those terms, complaining can actually be sin, and we know that this is something that God hates. We see examples of complaining in the Old Testament when the Israelites complained in the wilderness, eventually wishing that they had stayed in Egypt and died there as slaves. We also see in Numbers 12, 1 and 2, where Miriam and Aaron complained about Moses' leadership and his Cushite wife, in which the text noted that their complaining was actually rooted in jealousy, and Miriam was struck temporarily with leprosy as a result. Adam complained to God about the woman God put there with him in the garden as the responsible party for partaking of the fruit from the tree forbidden by God. And as we see, complaining is all part of human nature, but we also know that what the spirit desires is contrary to the flesh, as said in Galatians 5.17. If anything is learned, it can be unlearned, but it's going to take some effort and mental discipline on our part. If you're in the habit of complaining, try replacing that complaint with positivity. Now, I know you don't even have to think anything, don't have to say anything, because both my middle fingers had minds of their own when I would hear somebody tell me, oh, just think positive. Now, I'm not saying that I've mastered the art of positivity, but I have improved even from a year ago. And believe me, I've had more than enough to complain about over the past year, but in everything I am learning to give thanks and show gratitude in my attitude toward the Lord. Are there times when we should complain? Well, I guess that would depend on how you would define complaining. There is a difference between griping and lamenting. Toxic griping or complaining is condemned in scripture, however, to lament means bringing genuine grief, sorrow, and honest questions, even frustrations directly to the Lord in prayer. We see examples of this in Job and Jeremiah and many of the Psalms poured out complaints to the Lord, however, the complaining that they did was seeking God's help rather than spreading discontent to others. Proverbs 423 out of the New Living Translation says, Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. Your outlook has a lot to do with the quality of your life, and the older I get, the more I see this verse and others like it are true. You can do some simple observation just by watching people you may come in contact with every day. Your heart does not just refer to your emotions but the absolute core of your being, which includes your thoughts, desires, motives, and character. We are instructed to be vigilant about what we allow into our minds and our lives because repeated inputs eventually become ingrained beliefs. I've seen examples of this in my own life as well as the lives of those around me. Some for the good, some not so good, and I'm sure you guys have as well. Isaiah 53 7, he was oppressed and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before its shears is silent, so he opened not his mouth. This verse describes our Lord and Savior in particular when he stood accused and then nailed on the cross. He was innocent, he committed no sin, he left his glory and splendor of heaven to be like one of us. He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth, and if anybody had the right to complain, it would have been Jesus. But he didn't. Instead, he relied on God for strength, and we should follow his example as well. In Craig Rochelle's book, Heal Your Hurting Mind, which I highly recommend, there is a chapter on negativity. And in this chapter, Craig Rochelle quotes Dr. Paul David Tripp, who says, No one is more influential in your life than you are, because no one talks to you more than you do. How wholesome, faith driven, and Christ centered is the conversation you have with yourself every day. That's probably a good question for all of us to think about, and that's what I'm going to end with this evening. So until next time, love you guys. Good night.