Getting It Off My Chest

Okay, I’m going to rant and complain for a bit.  I actually have nothing to complain about though.  I’m healthy, have a roof over my head and all I need to live.  I have the most awesome wife.  I have Jesus in my life and know in my heart the assurance of Christ’s love and have the promise of one day being in paradise with him.  But that’s the thing with us humans, isn’t it?  We’re never happy.  Always complaining about something even when we really have nothing to complain about.  I think about the verse in the Bible: I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. (Romans 7:15). That’s that sinful nature in us that we cannot shake without the help of God’s grace.  

But it’s such a bummer.  For example, here I am living in a beautiful country in a nice home with my awesome wife. Half the time I find myself complaining about the heat and humidity, poor construction standards, awful traffic and rude drivers, the high cost of some items considered to be “exports,” lack of parking, obnoxious tourists, difficult Visa processes that change all the time, rampant bribery, and, well the list goes on.  So why live here, you ask?  What I really think is that it’s not the country I’m in. No, it’s that down deep we are all complainers, selfish, and self-centered.  It doesn’t matter where we are or what we’re doing. We’ll always find something to complain about no matter where we are. I know I have to continue working on myself.  I also know I can’t change by myself but rely only on the grace and love of Jesus Christ in my life.  But like the apostle Paul inferred above (see Romans 7:15 above), it’s hard.  We keep messing up and the reality is – we always will.  Deep down, you know it’s true, too.  So don’t BS me. The point is not to give up or give in to our sinful nature.  It is hard.  So yeah, sometimes I rant a little and get things off my chest so thanks for baring with me on this post.  

It’s time to go back to the source of life again (every day in fact), which is God’s Word, and get refreshed. Time to get back my “attitude of gratitude” – to get out of my own head and focus on someone other than myself. To again put my hope and trust in my savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.  The following Words of God help me to do that, and I’m going to read, meditate, and pray on them right now.  If this is something you need as well to help get back your attitude of gratitude, then please, I invite you to join me.

• For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)

• Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. (Philippians 2:3-4) 

• Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others.
(1 Corinthians 10:24)

• And don’t forget to do good and to share with those in need. These are the sacrifices that please God. (Hebrews 13:16)

• Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)


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