Only Three Things

Complaining is something we all do from time to time. We complain if it rains too much and we complain if it doesn’t rain enough. We complain if we miss an opportunity, we complain if we get sick, we complain if we….you get the picture I’m sure. There is not one who is reading this now that hasn’t been treated wrong at one time or another. We have cried, felt lonely and left behind and at times we have felt that no one even cares about poor little old me. Wait, there is nothing you or I can do about the troubles that come into our life is there? Well, I think there is! Troubles will come; that is for sure and if we live with a troubled attitude it will only make things worse. Try this instead of listing the troubles and problems why not make a gratitude list. That’s right, a list of things that you are grateful for. Let’s see! How’s your health? Are you enjoying eating every day and a loving family? Maybe you are glad the weekend is almost here? Do you have clothes to wear and someone who loves you? Maybe you’re the hero in your sons or daughters life? Are you taking a vacation in a few weeks? A wife who still loves you and has encouraging words for you each day? If all else fails you may have a pet that awaits your arrival each day. I love it, when all else has gone wrong I walk in the door and my dog is always glad I’m home.  I am sure you can think of others to add to your list. Remember now only put on your list things you are grateful for. This is a terrific way to change your attitude in a hurry. You may say why is that? When I was in the military we were taught about our enemy but we were also taught about our weapon and how to use it. Now with that in mind let me show you something about our enemy. Our enemy only wants to do three things and he is very successful at doing them and he has destroyed many a person’s life.

John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: There they are Steal, Kill, Destroy…Steal your joy by your complaining... Kill your desires by dwelling on the past; which you can do nothing about. Destroy your zeal by getting you to think everybody is against you and no one loves you. Think like that and you’ll soon be depressed, stressed out and feel you’re hopeless. I love the next part of that verse…. I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Now you can dwell on what’s going wrong or the abundant life! I choose the latter! I say let’s cut the pity party short and shift to the gratitude list because gratitude will get you much farther in life than complaining. The weapon we need to know how to use is our Bible; it needs to get off the table and into our hearts.

Psalms 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Notice he said in our heart not our head. This is not Bible memorization for that will be in your head. David said in your heart. Wonder what my wife would say if I said “sweetheart I love you with all my head?” No, I love her with all my heart and there is a big difference. With my heart I know her and love her. So it is with Jesus Christ I know Him and love Him with my heart.

Now get busy with your Gratitude list…..only things you’re grateful for! You have 10 minutes and we are turning the light out on the pity party.