On Complaint...

I don't trust the credibility or character of people who complain too much. I'm referring to the incessant complainers who never see the silver lining to their problems. There is something about incessant complainers that they can't see themselves. They choose misery voluntarily. What person in their right mind would do this?

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Yet we've all had seasons of life that were characterised by complaint. These were times when life did not go well, and there was no feeling of hope to speak of. During these seasons there has to be an empathetic ear, and realistically, we all get over these periods eventually.

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This is why I love the Bible. James suggests that there's never really ever a need to complain when he said, "Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, when you face trials of many kinds. Because it is in these trials your faith is tested, and you can develop perseverance and patience in life -- and maturity is the outcome." (My paraphrase of James 1:2-4) The qualifier is hope. Where there's hope, is there any excuse for whinging complaint?

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This truth in James in its purest sense is confounding to the vast majority of people, yet it holds a golden kernel of truth. It must be lived to be seen; and tried to be felt. We never pray for tests, but when they come, why complain? Smile and have a go... it's probably not going to be that bad.

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I commend you to people who find a quiet joy in life. Look for them and make friends with them. They will show you the way to wisdom and peace. Max Ehrmann penned the famous Desiderata back in the 1920s and exclaimed... "Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexatious to the spirit." People who complain a lot I find neatly fit into this category. They are not people to associate with wherever possible.

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Copyright © 2008, Steven John Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.