Complaining or Counting? What’s Your Choice?

Oh dear, sometimes I can be so cantankerous and crabby, complaining about all sorts of things that the devil throws at me trying to kill my joy, steal my peace, and destroy my witness in my effort to love! It’s such an easy route to ride. Our enemy gives us so much to fuss about! But if we’re complaining, perhaps we should remember this Word:

Numbers 11:1 “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.”

Paul reminded the Corinthians about how the Children murmured in the wilderness, saying “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” I Corinthians 10:10-13

What a great lesson! He reminds us of their example and admonishes us to be careful! No thinking we’re doing good and standing tall, or we might just fall. I d find a comfort in knowing #1 that I'm not alone going through tough times #2 God is faithful (that ALWAYS comforts me!) and #3 There's a way of escape. So . . . what’s the way?

Which direction do we head when the troubles and trials pile on top each other, and we need to escape?

May I suggest that we have a choice? Daily, even hourly, we can choose. Consider this: our 'escape' lies in those choices; that it all boils down to them. Philippians 2:14 says to “do all things without murmurings and disputings.” We either choose to bow up and complain, murmur, and remain cantankerous, making everyone around us walk lightly and be pretty miserable right along with us!

OR, we can choose to actually be glad about it! Like James tells us in his first chapter, second verse: “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.”

The latter choice will leave you skipping through the tulips all sweet and cheerful, as you choose to trust God and believe Romans 8:28 is true: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” So we can sincerely count the temptations joy and “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice!” Philippians 4:4

So tell me, have you had the opportunity to complain today? 
How did you choose?


Giveaway: 
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Bio: Caryl McAdoo loves writing stories for all ages that glorify God and is thrilled Christian fiction fits her life purpose so well. Bold not bashful, she’s quick to share the Bible principles she lives by through her characters and hopes each title ministers His love, mercy, and grace. Known as the “Singing Pray-er”—with a YouTube channel to prove it—the prolific hybrid author also loves praising Him with new songs He gives her. Her high-school-sweetheart-husband moved the family from the DFW area—home for fifty-plus years—to the woods and seat of Red River County. After Ron, Caryl counts four children and sixteen grandsugars life’s biggest blessings. The McAdoos live a few miles south of Clarksville in the far northeast corner of the Lone Star State with two grandsons.

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