Do You Have a Right to Complain?

We’re always complaining. Don’t believe me?

Tonight at the dinner table . . . jot down every complaint you hear.

It’ll most likely sound like this . . .

I just can’t stand driving in that traffic. I think we need to move closer to where I work.

Mom! We had spaghetti and meatballs two nights ago. What else you got?

Dad, I’m too tired to do homework tonight. I’ve got too much to do.

If one more telemarketer calls me, I’m going to rip that phone out of the wall.

Sound familiar? Face it; you live in a house full of complainers.

What are you going to do about it?

Start with a reality check. The World Bank tells us 56 percent of the world's population lives in extreme poverty. They survive on an income of less than $730 per year or $2 per day. Now that should stop you from complaining . . . oh, for about fifteen minutes.

How about we try something totally different? Go 21 days without complaining.

For 21 days . . . no griping about traffic, having the same meal for dinner two nights in a row, the amount of homework your child brings home or the annoying homeless guy you see in front of the drug store everyday.

Pull this off for 21 days? But how? Here’s what one church attempted to put a halt to the complaining.

Rev. Steve Schwambach handed out 1,900 purple wristbands sporting the phrase “No complaining! Philippians 2:14” to his congregation.

The pastor challenged the people to switch the wristband to the other wrist whenever they complained. That way everyone else would know you’ve been extra crabby.

Did it work for this church? Some people lasted a few hours . . . some made it a few days. The pastor actually snapped his wristband from changing wrists so much.

Come on! We can do better than that.

Beat complaining by doing what the scriptures advise: Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God . . . . (Philippians 2:14-15). Instead of complaining about everything you do, do everything without complaining.

It’s not a matter of sticking a sock in your mouth. Rather do what the scriptures tell us . . try gratitude.

Yes, every life has its share of problems, upsets and disappointments.

But you don’t have to give in to them.

Try this. Each morning make a list. Find three reasons why you’re thankful. Read them aloud throughout the day. Post them to your desk . . . your car dashboard . . .anywhere you will see them. With all this gratitude under your belt, be an encouragement to others instead of a dark cloud.

But what will you do when you actually have a legitimate complaint? Express it. But don’t forget to express how you want to see change and not just criticize what you don’t like.

Okay, time to switch my wristband.

JOHN TESH
Email: johnsblog@teshmedia.com