Everyone likes to have a good day. You prefer to wake up in the morning and have the whole day just one delightful experience. So often, though, that is not the way the day winds up as you reflect on it later that night. In fact, a lot of days wind up being more of an experience of just getting through the day rather than enjoying life that day. Why does that happen? There are numerous answers to that question, but one answer that we have control over is to allow complaining to rule our thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day.
A lady known as an incurable grumbler constantly complained about everything. At last her preacher thought he had found something about which she would be happy, for her farm crop was the finest for miles around. When he met her he said with a beaming smile, “You must be very pleased, Mary. Everyone is saying how healthy your potatoes look this year.” In her usual sour manner she replied, “True, they’re pretty good, but what am I going to do when I need bad ones to feed the pigs?” Ha! Ha! That is the way some people look at life. They seem to always find something to complain about, and even though you may not always complain, a sure fire way to have a bad day is to spend it complaining about everything that happens to you.
The apostle Paul had plenty to complain about, but look at what he tells believers to do in light of complaining: “And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you” (Col. 3: 12-13). He first tells you that you should focus your attention on positive attributes during your daily activities. Then he tells you to be at peace with those you are around and to forgive them whatever they may do or say to those that you may have a complaint against. In other words, be positive towards others and life and not negative and complaining during your daily activities.
Avoid a bad day by not complaining but focusing on the good in each day. It may just turn your sour milk into some delicious cheese. There is no time like the present to start!
