In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world —John 16:33
God does not give us overcoming life— He gives us life as we
overcome. The strain of life is what builds our strength. If there is no
strain, there will be no strength. Are you asking God to give you life,
liberty, and joy? He cannot, unless you are willing to accept the strain. And
once you face the strain, you will immediately get the strength.
Oswald Chambers~My Utmost for His Highest
I
have a confession to make. I am a
big complainer. When I encounter tribulation, I am not of good cheer; I am of
bad mood. This is a choice I make,
and continue to make every time something seems too hard or too unfair to
me. This needs to change.
Oswald
Chambers says that the strain of life is what builds our strength, but because
I choose to complain about the strain, I stay weak. I don’t want to be weak and I don’t want to complain. Complaining shows the true state of my
heart and teaches my children that when things get tough they can turn their
eyes to themselves. In reality,
though, it’s especially when times get tough that we need to fix our eyes on
Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith. When I complain, I have chosen to fix my eyes of Tori
instead of Jesus. This does not
bring God glory and it doesn’t flatter me, so I’m not even sure why it is
appealing.
God
doesn’t want me to complain. He
wants me to be grateful for the undeserved grace I receive from Him and He
wants me to keep my mouth shut when I feel my life is just too hard. Much sin can be avoided if I choose to
stay silent. So in 2016, when I
feel tempted to play the victim and feel sorry for myself, I will remember what
Jesus has done for me (He did it without
complaining) and I will choose to praise instead.
And
all the people said “Amen!”
LORD, set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door
of my lips.
Psalm 141:3
Excellent post!
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