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Who would have thought that I would welcome the pounding and thudding up on my roof? Yet, at last, the long-anticipated and dreaded day had arrived! Our condo association board had been preparing us for several months for this reality. It was — unavoidably — time to replace the roof. What a massive undertaking this would be for our facility of a large central building and 25 cottages scattered around the grounds.
This project wasn't to be done in a day! Oh, no: first came a tear-off crew to remove the old shingles and underlayment. Then, the workers who replaced the shingles and gutters came later. Trim work and touch-up were then done at the end. The crews could work in the rain, but not in ice or snow, so work in mid-winter was iffy. Nonetheless, this was an essential project, and the work was eventually completed, and the result was satisfying.
Can you think of essential tasks that you'd much rather skip? How about going to the dentist, or figuring your taxes? How about washing the windows or changing the oil in your car? There are many things in life that we wish would go away, but we just have to power through them, like it or not. There's no way around regular chores, so dragging our feet doesn't make them go away.
Our innate dislike of the unpleasant has a spinoff that can become a serious problem — complaining. Every day, I hear people around me complaining about ways that they feel mistreated or put upon. They have little empathy or consideration for service providers, and they simply want what they want — now! This discontent spreads like a cancer to others until it is pervasive.
One way to better deal with these unpleasantries in life is to adopt a more optimistic frame of mind. I often try to lessen negativity around me by offering a compliment or pointing out something good to counterbalance the complaint. Looking at the positive outcome or result of unpleasant tasks makes the drudgery seem more bearable. Such inner change in attitudes, however, is not easy or automatic. It can come only through God's power.
Romans 12:2a – Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. (NLT)
We would do well to emulate Paul's attitude: "I have learned how to be content with whatever I have" (Philippians 4:11b NLT) and "Be thankful in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18a NLT). Let's trust God to enable us to react positively to the challenges and hardships in our lives. In addition, let's try to look for the good that will come through this perseverance.
Prayer: Dear Father, You have given us so much for which to be thankful. Rather than habitually focusing on the negative and inconvenient, may we stop to look for the good in people and things around us. Amen.
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Amen, Gail.
Liked your devotion today. Thanks for the inspiration.
Amen to that Gail!
Blessings.
Thank you, Gail, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Thanks, Gail. This is a big problem in the community in which I live. Good advice!
Every morning on awakening I praise God for one more day to enjoy life and serve the Lord.
Gail, your words remind me of the 1940 Pop song lyrics that say “you got to accentuate the positive, eliminate the negative”! So true. The roof is looking great!
Boy Gail. You hit the nail on the head and my observation is that the older we get complaining becomes a very easy approach that solves no problems.
Of course, you and I do not react that way, do we?
Thanks again for your thoughtful devotion.
Great reminder Gail about being content with what we have. No one likes a “complainer.”
For 19 years I have been wearing a Complaint-Free bracelet, designed and promoted by an American pastor from the East coast.
Blessings.
Thanks, Gail, for another special and meaningful devotional. What is so needed in our world these days is to reflect on the good rather than on the bad. It would be so uplifting hearing more praises than complaints and more stories of positive happenings. Our Lord would be so delighted to have more people seeking Him and there would be so much more peace in the world. Blessings for your writings.
Good morning, Gail,
This is a good message which we need reminders because it is easy to go down the rabbit hole. Definitely my life is better when I choose to be content and positive. God is there to help me find that contentment and just get it done and not complain.
There is so much to be grateful for when we think about and work towards being positive. Thanks for sharing. Blessings.
Hi Gail,
Thanks for this.
As I was reading your devotional, I felt the need to offer you a bedroom in our house, on our farm, if you need to take a vacation.
So anyway, you are a very long ways away from Prince Edward Island Canada but.
Have a blessed day and thank-you for contributing!
Thank-you.
Good morning, Gail,
Facing the possible replacement of the roof on our relatively small house as soon as the weather allows faces us. The noise and activity will only be a day, the cost might be considerable, but then as they say now a days “It is what it is.”
As you may recall, we have been and are going through some difficult times, but with God’s help we are coping and as you said “Let’s trust God to enable us to react positively to the challenges and hardships in our lives. In addition, let’s try to look for the good that will come through this perseverance.”
Thank you for writing these fine words.
Blessings.
My neighbour and I were talking one day and there were a number of negatives in the conversation until she: yes, all our “First World” problems. We both laughed. I have used that phrase often in conversations with individuals and groups. Complaining about what? 99% are “First World” problems. We don’t have the problems that the “Third World” countries do, like food, water, shelter, safety, How blessed we are to have so little to complain about! Even when I am talking to myself about things that amounts to grumbling, I tell myself: yup. First World problems” And laugh. And am thankful again. And of course, scripture has a few things to say about it as well. Thank you for your reminder!
Blessings on your day!
Well said and so true.