I heard on the radio that researchers have discovered that if we are more positive or less of a complainer or have lower negative feelings, then we will have better health, less likely to have strokes or heart attacks, you we live longer, etc. Really? We wasted time and money to actually research this.
Lets face it, there are many negative complaining people in the world. At times I know I am one. I can be a little whiner at times. I complained about the hotel, the car that I am required to rent, drivers on the road, etc. As an example, I was taught to drive a certain way in a different state. My wife tells me that she was never taught some of these things, but she will add that it makes a lot of sense most of the time. However, she likes to point out that people may not have been taught this. This may be true, but that is a problem with the way things are done.
I know that I should stop complaining about a lot of the stuff. However, when you are raised in a house where both parents do nothing but complain about Republicans, other non-democrat politicians, foreigners, employees who do not want to do their jobs, the cost of stuff, drivers on the road, how much pain they are in, and it goes on and on, it is any wonder that I am a complainer at times?
I think that is part of who we are. My wife and son are typically very laid back. Not much really affects them. That is not to say they do not have their moments, they do. It is how they handle those moments that makes them different. My daughter is in the middle. She complains or vents about somethings, but other things she does not complain about. I on the other hand complain basically about the stupidity of people.
Philippians 2:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,
Ephesians 4:29 New International Version (NIV)
29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
I come down hard on greedy people, all politicians, drivers who just act stupid, people who do not think but simply believe because it was said. people who think the world owes them something, Is this an act of love or is it selfishness because the way they are acting will impede me in some way, shape, or form? I would argue it is not love.
I am reminded of:
Matthew 7:2 New International Version (NIV)
2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Notice it did not say do not judge, but be careful when you judge others. We all make judgements each an every day about food, about people, about life in general.
So be careful what you say and how you say it. You never know when it may come back on you. There are a few sayings:
“You have the right to say what you want, but you also have the responsibility for how it is heard.”
“Just because you have the right to say what you want, does not mean that you always should.”
Sometimes things need to be said, but we need to really need to think before words leave our mouths.
Read the Bible and ask yourself how many times did Jesus complain? Instead of complaining, did Jesus try to help people? If people did not want His help, did He go around and grumbling about people and arguing with them or did He just walk away? We all need to read the Bible and start to act the way Jesus did. It is not an easy path, but it is a path we need to take.