A complain fast

We've all known times when it's easier to complain than go the other way and build someone up. So, some practical steps we can take:

Step one: Choose gratitude. Even if it means forcing ourselves to focus on positives rather than negatives, let's choose it. If we think hard, there'll be at least one thing that's positive. Let's practise appreciating where we are in life instead of where we'd rather be. Step two: Encourage first. Let's go out of our way to infuse encouragement before complaining happens. When we're with a group of friends and someone starts complaining, it's easy to follow suit and add our gripes to the mix. Let's rather set a culture of being positive in those chats, to nip unnecessary, addictive complaining in the bud. Final step: Learn to let go. Tackling our moaning means we'll grow: 'They were patient when they suffered unjustly' (James 5:10 GWT).

Keeping a positive grateful attitude isn't easy. It only comes if we discipline ourselves to be positive. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NLT) should be our model for handling any little or big niggles: 'Warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone'. Attitude is key: choose gratitude, encourage first, learn to let go.



So what now? Time for a complain-fast. Next time you catch yourself about to speak negatively about someone, stop. Instead, find a way to be encouraging about that person.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Do not complain against each other.' James 5:9 NCV
— SOULFOOD —

2 Thes 1-3, Luke 9:46-56, Ps 145:14-21, Pro 4:23-24