Stirring up Trouble

Don't envy evil people
or desire their company.
For their hearts plot violence,
and their words always stir up trouble.
-Proverbs 24:1-2

Ladies, this is a piece of advice we need to make sure we apply. Wicked people are troublemakers and trouble-talkers. There can be no greater trouble than a woman who is on the warpath.

There are many examples in the Bible of people who stirred up trouble with their words. On the journey to the Promised Land the Israelites grumbled many times. In Numbers 11 the rabble began to crave other food besides the manna. They were unthankful, and yet they had never missed a meal. No, they just wanted fish and cucumbers. It's been said, "Contentment is not getting what you want but wanting what you have." Well, they complained, and pretty soon everyone was unhappy. Everyone was complaining. It spread like the plague. Then Moses got discouraged. He wanted to give up. Can you see how complaining can make your husband or your friends or your kids want to give up? Don't do that to them. But the difference between the rabble and Moses is that he took his frustration and burdens not to others but to the Lord, and the Lord sent solutions. God put His Spirit on leaders who could then help carry the burden of the people.

So the moral? Don't make friendships with complainers, whiners, gripers, or faultfinders. If there's a problem, take it to the Lord and pray for godly friends.

Live it out!
Griping and complaining is the shortest path to leaving you with more to gripe and complain about. Did you know that? For example, if you constantly criticize your kids about the way they put away the dishes or mow the lawn or you put your husband down about the way he drives, or that he always forgets something when you send him to the store. . . guess what? They are not likely to want to try again. You will end up doing the dishes and going to the store all by yourself. Praise and thankfulness go a long way. Try them. For sure, others will like it - and so will you.

The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional; by Debbi Bryson; September 24; p. 279

I really dislike it when I realize I have been pouring out a string of complaints about anything and everything. We justify it by saying we are "venting"; but really it is simply complaining. And in the end it doesn't make us feel better; it makes us feel worse because we are allowing our minds to dwell on the negative. I love this reminder to take it to the Lord and allow Him to give us solutions. I don't want to cause my family and friends to feel defeated and to give up; I want to encourage them and foster feelings of love and encouragement.

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