Complaining is like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. (Which is ironic, because I certainly do it
enough.) Seriously, does anyone enjoy hanging out with a complainer? I don’t think so. But we
can all slip in to that mindset. So how do we dodge the urge to share our woes with whoever
will listen?
One way we dodge the urge to complain is by remembering the negative impact it can have on others.
Here are four good reasons to dodge the urge to complain:
- Complaining causes De-joy. (vs. En-joy) I can be having a great day, and thinking
things are going well, and someone can gripe about the food, or the weather, or how
things are being managed, or about another person, and suddenly my mind is drawn to
what is wrong instead of what is right. Negative words are toxic– they dissolve our joy. - Complaining causes Dis-content. Once my mind is engaged in seeing the negative
instead of the positive, I start to notice the negative more and more. I am caught in a
whirlpool of unhappy thoughts that can spiral down into depression, hopelessness,
resentment and self-pity. - Complaining causes De-struction. Complaining can destroy your attitude and devastate
your relationships. The more you complain, the more it infects your mind with negative
thoughts, destroying your attitude. And the more you complain, the less meaningful
relationships you will have because: - Complaining causes Dis-trust. Not only to people dislike listening to complainers, they
distrust them. “If she complains about that person to me, what is she saying about me to
them?”
Jesus said “It’s not what goes into your mouth that defiles you; you are defiled by the words that
come out of your mouth.” Matthew 15:11 NLT
Are you fighting the temptation to complain? Dodge the urge by remembering what your
negative words can cause: de-joy, dis-content, de-struction, dis-trust.
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips. Psalm 141:3
Click below to read other posts in this series on “Complaint and Contentment:”
Complaint and Contentment Series – Part 2: From Bitter to Better
Complaint and Contentment Series – Part 4: 10 Tips to Overcome Complaining
[…] Complaint and Contentment Series – Part 3: Dodge the Urge […]