Take Time to Listen to How We Sound to Others
Do everything without (grumbling, kvetching,
complaining, disputing) finding fault or arguing.
Then you will be pure and without blame.
You will be children of God without fault in a sinful
and evil world. Among the people of the world
you shine like stars in the heavens.
From Philippians 2:14-15 NLT, NIrV, NASB CJB
complaining, disputing) finding fault or arguing.
Then you will be pure and without blame.
You will be children of God without fault in a sinful
and evil world. Among the people of the world
you shine like stars in the heavens.
From Philippians 2:14-15 NLT, NIrV, NASB CJB
This is one of the Bible verses that I just don’t like because it goes against my human nature… and it does give a lot of outs (everything without complaining— really?)
I have had the opportunity to listen to people from 30+ countries in a counseling setting. One of the consistent observations from non-Americans is basically: “I don’t understand Americans. You have everything and yet all you do is complain.”
My favorite definition of gossip:
sharing negative information (even if true) with someone who is not part of the problem or part of the solution.
Maybe we should hold that standard to complaining.
Either address the problem with someone who can help,
or see it for what it is, an inconvenience.
Especially about privileges! It is a privilege to vote, go to work, school, church, own a car, pay for clean water that comes to your home, etc… and yet we don’t hear the whininess in our tone and words that people from other countries hear immediately when we talk about these things.
I think of the dear saints that I have known. One trait they all have in common… they were not complainers.
Paul basically says,
‘Want to show the world you are different? Stop complaining!!!’ A resolution that we should all make.
I have had the opportunity to listen to people from 30+ countries in a counseling setting. One of the consistent observations from non-Americans is basically: “I don’t understand Americans. You have everything and yet all you do is complain.”
My favorite definition of gossip:
sharing negative information (even if true) with someone who is not part of the problem or part of the solution.
Maybe we should hold that standard to complaining.
Either address the problem with someone who can help,
or see it for what it is, an inconvenience.
Especially about privileges! It is a privilege to vote, go to work, school, church, own a car, pay for clean water that comes to your home, etc… and yet we don’t hear the whininess in our tone and words that people from other countries hear immediately when we talk about these things.
I think of the dear saints that I have known. One trait they all have in common… they were not complainers.
Paul basically says,
‘Want to show the world you are different? Stop complaining!!!’ A resolution that we should all make.