“Quit complaining,” the Holy Spirit told me. “This doesn’t please me.”
Okay, let me be more precise. He didn’t just tell me. He interrupted me. He broke into my verbal tirade regarding how paralyzed Mr. Simeon had made a mess I had to clean when I was on my way out of our little hotel room to take a walk in the beautiful sunshine.
Picture this. Over 7 years of caring for 2 paralyzed dogs in diapers who have no idea when they need to go to the bathroom let alone do it without help. Coupled with additional handicapped dogs. On top of over 20 years of dog rescue work. Oh, yes, and over the past 3 years no longer doing rescue work but being on the road full-time for my ministry work – with my beloved dogs. Perfect reason to complain, right? One more mess. Nobody has any idea how many hours per day and how much time per week let alone per year it takes for me to care for these sweet and precious dogs. So I have every right to complain, right? WRONG!
I needed to repent. Just like every time I sin against God. And complaining is sin, friend. And if you are prone to it like I am, rest assured there is only one right way to handle it when you fall into it. Get rid of it and turn back to the Lord.
How quick I am to tell the Lord and the world how much I love Him, and how much I desire to please Him. Well, friend, complaining as He reminded me that day does NOT please Him. It is disobedience and dishonors Him.
Need to repent?
Oh Father, forgive me yet again. Your mercy amazes me. That you do not give up on me but continue in your love to transform me is astonishing. How humbled I am by your love and patience and the time and care you take to grow me in your image. Grow us all, dear Father. In your image. For your glory. And help us to leave complaining behind. We need to be – and should be – THANKFUL, dear Father. Help us to take the energy and time we spend complaining and use it for thanksgiving – to you, for you, dear Lord. AMEN!
“Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” Phil. 2:14-15