Replace a Complaining Attitude

Replace a complaining attitude. . . with a thankful one.

Complaining is an attitude choice that if left unchecked will wither my capacity to experience joy and genuine thankfulness. When we express resentment over circumstances that are beyond our control and about which we are doing nothing, we are complaining. We choose our attitudes. Attitudes are patterns of thinking formed over a long period of time. Complaining is a sin. Complaining questions God's sovereignty. It hurts God and others around us. God gives each of us the right amount of adversity to accomplish His eternal purposes in our lives. By complaining about your trial, you are flushing away the grace of God. Our consequence for complaining is a joyless life.

When we set out to replace a bad atittude, we need to pray and then put a good attitude in its place. Thankfulness is the attitude that perfectly displaces my sinful tendancy to complain and thereby release joy and blessing into my life. Everyone can make the choice to give thanks and acknowledge the goodness of the grace of God. Christ notices those who are ungrateful. Faith grows in the soil of thankfulness. Gratitude means "to show that a kindness received is valued." We could fill each day with genuine gratitude; but too often we minimize the blessings of life and magnify every negative circumstance we encounter. The basic kind of thankfulness is the sacrifice of thankfulness. The next level is finding something to be thankful for always. But real joy comes from being thankful for all things - even the bad things. Thankfulness is a choice we make based in realtiy which is life-changing.

-From Lord, Change my Attitude Before it's too Late by James MacDonald; chapters 1 and 2

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