What is complaining?
Complaining is... well its hard to explain, it can come through actions or words. Whether we complain with our words or with our actions. The Webster dictionary defines complaining as, to express grief, pain, or discontent. In other words it’s the opposite of being content with what you’ve been given, who you are and what is going on around you.
What is contentment?
It’s being happy, joyful and satisfied about who you are, what you have, and what is happening to you or around you. It’s clearly the opposite of complaining, instead of being unhappy you are happy about what is happening. The Merriam Webster dictionary says that contentment is, feeling or showing satisfaction with one's possessions, status, or situation.
What’s the big deal?
Well, God has called us to be content. He was content here on earth, and He want’s us to be thankful and content with what He has blessed us with. When we are not grateful for what He has given us, we are saying that we know better than He does. We are saying that He is not trustworthy.
Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”
He is always with us, and He knows what’s best for us. We are to be thankful and praise Him, because He will provide us with our every need!
Psalms 100:4 tells us to “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”
Learning to be thankful for whatever you are going through can be very difficult. For me, through this lockdown, it’s been very difficult to be thankful. I don’t like being content about masks, but God says to. We don’t have to like them, we just have to not complain. I have to remember this often! Ugh! :) Mom gave me a tip to pray for someone whenever I thought to complain. It’s also good to play the glad game, and find something to be glad about. Whatever way works best for you is fine. Just remember to be content!
