“Do everything without grumbling or complaining”
The book of Philippians is haunting me people. I want to move on but every morning in my quiet time I’m compelled back there, over and over I keep reading and making notes.
All those years ago Paul the apostle was writing his heart from prison to people he loved. Reading his letter now, I’m amazed. Humbled. And just to be honest…annoyed.
I mean: “do everything without grumbling or complaining”.
Seriously?
I’m thinking he got carried away and what he meant to say was:
“Do most things without grumbling or complaining”, because really, if I did everything without grumbling or complaining there would be days I’d utter not one word.
Days of complete and total silence all up in my house. I want to tell Paul…“Dude, if I tried to put a stopper in my mouth every time I had the urge to grumble I’m telling you, I’d blow!”
But of course Paul had more to say, in the next chapter he gives me an option for those times when all I can think of is a grumble or a complaint,
“…rejoice in the Lord.”
{delight, gladen yourself in Him}
Amplified Version
Oh.
So I don’t have to put a stopper in my pie hole? I can turn my focus from the object of my grumble to God…and delight in Him. When I’m delighting in God it always comes from a heart of gratitude.
There it is… gratitude is a secret to drowning out the grumbles.
*****
It’s all sounding a bit juvenile, which makes me think of actual children. Wouldn’t that be a beautiful gift to give a child? The knee-jerk reaction of gratitude instead of grumbling?
Maybe when one of our little one starts whining, fussing or pitching a fit we could play a game.
Let’s see, I’d call it Gratitude for Grumbling Game and it would go something like this:
“I know you’re unhappy right now, but can you see how many things you can name that you’re thankful for?”
Ouch.
Never let it be said that I’m not a child at heart.
Forget teaching the children…I’m gonna start playing this game myself.
~Have a day with more gratitude ~ less grumbling~
*****
I’m still counting gifts sweet friends… #964~ for the Apostle Paul reminding me that I can’t be full of gratitude & grumbling at the same time…
Thanks for the encouragement this morning Robin. I try hard not to complain and grumble but sometimes find myself overwhelmed with things. Doesn’t make it right, especially since I serve the ONE who had the most to grumble about but didn’t. Prayed for you this morning.
Bill thank you for the prayer my friend! Good reminder, we serve the One who had the most to complain about but didn’t…love it.
What a perfect reminder as I start this new day! Can’t wait until Addison is a bit older and she can play that game along with me! Thanks for taking the time to share. Much love.
Katie…I bet if we start teaching our babies this from an early age it’ll be easier for them later on…love you too sweet girl. hugs and smooches to Addison.
Morning, dearheart! This verse is a constant challenge, and reshaping my mind to CHOOSE to look for things to be thankful for, grateful for is a divine cooperation. Have been encouraged in this during this week by Vicky’s post on saying yes and Anne’s post about ps 68:19. Enjoy your day alone with Him today, and I will pray you are able to count some specific victories during the many moments you two will share.
Jenn…thank you for pointing me to Vicky’s blog and Anne’s. I’ve had a super busy week and haven’t gotten to read my favorite blogs. I love the idea of ‘reshaping’ my mind. YES woman, that’s what I need … a good mind reshaping! love u
You’re at number 964!! Almost to 1000. That’s incredible, Robin.
This post makes me wonder if maybe I should ponder more and talk less….It’s beautiful.
J…964 and I’ve missed so many things! talk less …I should get a tattoo w/ that on it so I remember. whew. xo
Love this Robin…had to chuckle when you said “what he meant to say was…” how often have I played that game. Love this and choose gratitude with you today. Blessings!
Tom, I’m glad you do this too! I sometimes read scripture (especially Paul) and really it takes me a few weeks reading it over and over to come to terms with the fact that God really will make my weaknesses into strengths…
Thanks, Robin, for you insights into the Christian walk! I’ve been thinking lately how I grumble and get impatient when driving….thanks for reminding me that there is a much better choice in our day-to-day interactions, than grumbling!!
Fran, I’m so awful when driving! I can be praying out loud and suddenly yell at the car in front of me! It’s never lost on my how quickly I stumble, I’m always asking for forgiveness 🙂
love to you~
Robin,
I love your attitude and I am going to try this myself because I know God wanted me to read this today as a reminder of how wonderful my life really is!!! So thank you for sharing the holy spirit with us all!!! You are doing great works through our Lord God!!!!I will be counting my Blessings more often too!!! Have an Amazing day!!!
Pamela Reuter
Pamela I love that you acknowledge how wonderful your life is…I’m going to acknowledge that about my own life. love to you and thank you for being so encouraging xo
This has been my challenge the past couple weeks… working on changing my (negative) thought process… so difficult. From “I’m so tired I haven’t had a day off in weeks.” to “I’m thankful to be employed.” Mom and I were talking about this very thing a couple weeks ago… there is a book written by a Christian author (that I cannot remember the name of) that talks about the science and physical effects being thankful has… it releases good endorphins. Whereas negative thinking depletes our seratonin levels. All of that to say what an Awesome God that gave us this command to protect us on so many different levels. You have been so encouraging! Thanks for the daily reminders. xoxoxoxo
Katie, I love the thought that being thankful releases good endorphins. I think this alone will motivate me. love you to the moon sweet girl
When we are given the chance to be grateful or grumble, it sure is easy to pick grumbling, isn’t it? We like to sit there and feel sorry for ourselves. Why? Because it is easier! I have dealt with this almost everyday this year since the shingles left me with PHN. I should be looking at how I am better than I was 6 months ago but some days it is so much easier to just say, why me!
I was reading an article last night and a quote in it caught my eye.
“God gave you a gift of 86,400 seconds today. Have you used one to say “thank you?” ~William A. Ward
I am going to keep that close to me now, so that when I feel like I want to start grumbling, I am going to read that quote. :0)
Oh Eileen…86,400 seconds a day…and yes! It only takes a second to say thank you! I LOVE that. Oh my goodness, everyone is sharing so many things that will help me! love love love
(I’m so glad you’re better today than 6 months ago Sweetie. love u)
I will choose gratitude today as well. And try to ebery day. I grumble and complain WAAAAY more than I should, I know. Especially if someone isn’t doing things the way I think they should:) I need to get over that! Thank you once again for this lesson and reminder. You are almost to 1000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! KNowing you, you will go way beyond it! Have a wonderful day sweet friend! XOXO, P
Pinky…you seem like a super grateful person. I can’t imagine you’d struggle w/ this! love u
Oh Robin, between calling Paul “Dude,” and the whole “stopper in your pie hole bit”, I’m just cracking up all over the place. I love how you have so carefully thought this through and made a shred of sense out of it all! You’ve mined out a beautiful example of how to go about our day- grumble less, humble more 🙂 Thank you for the blessing of your words… sending love and prayers
Vicky my girl…glad you get my twisted humor :0
I know I’ll master gratitude one of these days…practice practice practice…xo
Awesome post – I need to be reminded again and again 🙂 Thank you and God bless you 🙂
Joanne…this is one lesson I need to be reminded of every day! xo
I loved this post! It’s exactly what I am trying to work on!! I have a Wonderfully, Fabulous husband and have found myself WAY TOO OFTEN grumbling to him about how the help he gave wasn’t right (aka dishes weren’t loaded in dishwasher properly, school lunch wasn’t full of enough goodies, etc) when most women would be so thankful to have the kind of help I have from him. He is Christ honoring, and I have been so convicted lately to quit voicing my every opinion to him…and like you said, I need to tell them to God. He will know just how to fix my attitude problem. Thanks for these verses.
Niki! I sooo struggle with this! I have fought this for 26 years and I find if I intentionally say something positive to The Husband when I’m thinking critical my heart instantly softens and I get the perspective I need! I can relate girlfriend! xoxo
!!!! – I just started studying Philippians and chose this verse to meditating on yesterday. It really made me think about the butterfly affect of grumbling and how it affects me spiritually and others. Then to take that thought and think about the culture that Paul lived in and what it meant to be told something like that then. I think no matter how much I try to look at it differently for me it still comes down to being a positive example for how God works in our lives no matter how bad things seem.
Caroline! So excited you’re loving Philippians too! And such a good reminder to remember the culture that Paul lived in…and the affect grumbling has on everyone around me…xo
I definitely enjoyed/needed to read this today. Thanks for sharing!
Kate, I need this too and everyone has added things that are helping drive this home…love to you
Just this afternoon I was grumbling and complaining so much that when I finished, I was exhausted! My plans for the afternoon got canceled and I was very, very upset! I spent a good 10 minutes spouting off to my friend ranting and saying what about ME and what I want! I completely missed the fact that I have more than a thousand things I could name to be grateful for, but no, I had to waste my time and energy on grumbling. I have asked God for forgiveness and help in controlling my big mouth. It is amazing how God leads us to blogs posted by a friend to show us how thankful we should be for our many blessings.
Thank you for this post…….I really needed this today!
Brenda…you are one of the happiest people I’ve ever met! I just can’t imagine you grumbling! love u
Thanks for sharing – so needed this today – you have no idea!! In the middle of my hot flashes I will definitely be playing that game “Gratitude for grumbling” – maybe even put a sticker on my laptop at work to remind me!
Karol…a sticker would be great! I need them all over the house to remind me until I practice so it becomes my habit…maybe a tattoo is the best idea 🙂
Singing my song here, Robin. Yours in much more eloquent and entertaining…love ya lady.
Madge…I love your blog by the way! your whole life is a song my friend. love you too~
I just discovered your blog and what a powerful lesson! I needed this so much right now as I seem to be grumble more than count my blessings. Thanks for the lesson.
Jennifer…me too my friend. xo
I am just beginning to realize what an ingrate I am. 🙁 We had a brief meeting after church to discuss some Awana stuff recently. A very godly and well respected long time Christian woman (a good friend) sitting with me “complained” about having the meeting after church on Sunday (seriously it was only 7-8 minutes to order shirts and go over a couple of things) and before I could even wrap my brain around her “grumbling” over something so petty God spoke to my heart and said, “THIS is what YOU sound like when you grumble and complain.” OUCH! I have tried to be conscious of it since. I may not grumble audibly but I am really working on my attitude and thoughts. I love that there is an answer to our grumbling though…gratitude! I always love your thought process! 🙂
Gina…I love it when God sends me a powerful lesson! ouch! painful but it usually sticks w/ me! xoxo
I needed this in the worst way today.Thanks so much.
Yolanda…sending you a big hug. xo
YES! Thank you for sharing that… I love reading your blog for your take on your studies. And I do enjoy the gratitude days more than the grumbling days! 🙂
Robin, I completely understand the struggle with grumbling! What an on going battle! Philippians is probably my favorite but also the most convicting book! My church actually is currently going through Philippians if you would like a few more notes…BVG.ORG
It’s always encouraging to read another bloggers struggles in the faith and I will be praying that the Lord fills your heart (and mine) with gratitude! 😉
Mallory, I’d love to hear what your pastor has to say about Philippians! Thanks for the tip my friend~ xo
Hi Robin, Great post! I needed to read that tonight…that’s a wonderful verse to remember and I’m really going to try to complain less and have more gratitude. Thanks for the reminder!
Have a great night,
Anne
Anne, hugs Sweetie! xo
Wow – what a beautifully written post! It is far too easy to justify our venting or complaining about this “one little thing” while forgetting that it truly is hard to see a way to gratitude if we’re focused on the grumbling. Thanks so much for sharing. I am glad that I stumbled into your blog world, and can’t wait to read more!
Sheryl…I’m so happy to meet you! Looking forward to getting to know you! xoxo