No Complaining Challenge

Yesterday at church, my minister gave us a challenge - no complaining for a month...it has not even been 24 hours and it's been tough!  BUT, I like it!  It is making me be a more positive person.  The message yesterday was about Thanksgiving and how we should be thankful every single day of the year, not just a few days or a season, but all the time.

The verse that Larry threw out at us about complaining was this:

I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed -Psalm 77:3b (KJV)

Talk about a WOAH moment.  It got me to thinking about all of the silly things I complain about on a daily basis.  Even when Larry said he was challenging us, I turned to my best friend Jessica and said, "Does he know that finals week is coming up?" kinda of in a kidding manner, but serious at the same time...so I decided it would be a good call to try to not complain for a month.  Like I said, it hasn't been 24 hours and it's hard!  It's just like when we set out to do better about anything in our lives, Satan comes at us from every direction, and he certainly is doing that.  I've caught myself several times this morning...when I first got out of bed (I wanted to go back to sleep), when I was getting ready (my hair took too long to dry), when I had to wait at a stop light (it took too long).  His challenge was, instead of complaining, offer a praise to God instead.  Complaining is the arch enemy of thanksgiving.  Chew on that one for a while.

Do everything without complaining. -Philippians 2:14

So, for the very few people who may actually read this, I am challenging you to not complain for a month as well.  Yes, it's hard, we are complaining people in general.  But no one likes to be around someone who complains a lot, and when we stop and think about it, we really have next to nothing to complain about compared to most of the world.  So what if a red light stays red a little longer than you want it to, or if you have a lot of work to do and can't seem to get it all done...try to find something positive in the midst of the craziness and moments when you find yourself starting to complain.

But I trust in Your unfailing love.  I will rejoice because you have rescued me.  I will sing to the Lord because He is good to me. -Psalm 13:5-6