I admit it. I am a grumbler. Especially when I’ve got a lot going on. When I get frustrated, or feel overwhelmed, or unappreciated, the grumbler in me takes over. It sounds like “woe is me,” “I just need a break,” “I’m so tired,” “Why do I always have to do everything?” Move over Eeyore; I’ve got this. Can anyone relate? Please tell me someone can relate!
I think my behavior is a nod to the old saying, “Do as I say, not as I do.” I have told my daughter since she was young that the words you speak to yourself matter. What you say about your situation impacts how you feel and react to it. And yet here I am, weighing myself down with negative thought after negative thought.
You know who loves that? The enemy. Oh, how he rejoices when I choose to ignore the light in pursuit of self-serving darkness. The enemy cannot steal my heart; I gave that to the Lord 25+ years ago. But he can absolutely exploit my thoughts and commandeer my intentions. And for what purpose? So that I don’t live up to the potential God has planned for me. So that I dim the light God placed in me. So that people don’t see Jesus when they see me. So that I serve the enemy through my grumbling, rather than serving God through my thankfulness.
Recently, I’ve been praying for God to change my heart, rather than just asking Him to change my circumstances. I do still pray to God asking for his intercession in situations; Phil 4:6 tells me, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” I am learning to pray with thanksgiving. I am trying to embrace 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 in my daily walk:” Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Those feelings that lead me to grumble – fear, frustration, worry, sadness – are not the problem. Emotions are a beautiful gift from God. They also let us feel love, joy, excitement. It is what we do with those emotions that determines if they honor the Father or the enemy. It is easy to be thankful when we are happy, fulfilled, loved, safe. But where it matters – where our faith is tested and sharpened – is when we are overwhelmed, angry, resentful. Just plain tired.
I challenge you, for just one day, choose thankfulness. Capture every negative thought and turn it around to honor God. It might sound something like this:
From, “work is making me crazy.” To “This is a crazy time at work but thank you Lord for my job which I love most of the time.”
From, “Ronan (my 15-year-old dog) is testing my patience.” To “He can’t help it; Thank you Lord, that Ronan is still with us.”
From, “I hate having to put groceries away! It takes forever.” To, “Thank you Lord for the ability to buy food for my family.”
The enemy hopes we will choose to wallow in the negative. To focus on all we think we don’t have. To embrace the inner Eeyore. To see ourselves as victims rather than the victors we are in Jesus. I’ve come to realize that when I choose grumbling, I forgo grace. When I choose misery, I forgo mercy. And the ugly truth is I become more usable to the devil than to my Lord and Savior.
My journey of thankfulness is just starting. And at times, it feels contrived. But I can tell you that I am happier. More content. More at peace. Thankfulness doesn’t just change us. It changes our capacity to be an instrument of God. And I’ll take that over being an Eeyore any day of the week.