I hear you Linda. Lately, I have changed how I talk to my Lord about my struggles.
I changed complaints to confessions. I say, “Lord I have this going on and I feel upset about it. I’m not complaining I am confessing my spirit isn’t right on this thing. Renew within me a right spirit.”
I've been thinking a lot about the "Prayer of Indifference." Not an "I don't care" attitude, but an, "I care, but I'm okay with whatever the outcome because I trust the One in charge." This complaint vs lament has the same vibe.
What struck me in your article is 'what you complain in, you remain in'. It's like we purposely pull in the fog of dissatisfaction around our shoulders and wear it! Recently , we moved into a retirement village and the rehearsals are everywhere: physical pain, what someone's done/not done. It would be easier to agree with them, except I have to live with myself and the Lord. I know He gets uncomfortable with that talk. But oh, the change in atmosphere when I praise Him! He lifts us to His perspective and life becomes a delight not a dirge.
I loved reading this. Went to post a response... and immediately fell into griping against my phone... petulantly hurling a "Happy?" at it once I'd put in the pass code it sent to my email... not to a sentient being, but to an inanimate object for which I am, in all my grumbling, truly grateful.
So this is my confession, a line from what you shared, Brandon:
The flat tire becomes the headline. The provision becomes the footnote.
That's what I just did!!! That's probably why that image leapt out at me.
I hear you Linda. Lately, I have changed how I talk to my Lord about my struggles.
I changed complaints to confessions. I say, “Lord I have this going on and I feel upset about it. I’m not complaining I am confessing my spirit isn’t right on this thing. Renew within me a right spirit.”
Thank you for this timely message.
Great shift in language, Butch!
Love this: "Complaint pushes against God. Lament leans into Him.
Complaint says God is doing it wrong. Lament says I do not understand, but I still trust You.
Same pain. Different posture."
If I could only remember this every day!❤️
I've been thinking a lot about the "Prayer of Indifference." Not an "I don't care" attitude, but an, "I care, but I'm okay with whatever the outcome because I trust the One in charge." This complaint vs lament has the same vibe.
I sometimes pray this "prayer of indifference" trusting / trying to trust God in my plans or a situation where it can go either way.
I eother trying to surrender or expressing that I want to trust more than control
It is so hard to want to trust more than to control!
I feel that!
Very true!
Me too lol!
Thank you, Linda!
BRAVO!!!
Thank you!
I love it, thanks for writing.
I appreciate the kind words!
This is a beautiful piece and an excellent sentiment. ♥️
I really appreciate that!
I recently read somewhere where the author said that complaining is the worship language of hell
Oh, that is good!
I think exhaustion changes the way people narrate their lives
It definitely does!
What struck me in your article is 'what you complain in, you remain in'. It's like we purposely pull in the fog of dissatisfaction around our shoulders and wear it! Recently , we moved into a retirement village and the rehearsals are everywhere: physical pain, what someone's done/not done. It would be easier to agree with them, except I have to live with myself and the Lord. I know He gets uncomfortable with that talk. But oh, the change in atmosphere when I praise Him! He lifts us to His perspective and life becomes a delight not a dirge.
Love that! Thank you!
I loved reading this. Went to post a response... and immediately fell into griping against my phone... petulantly hurling a "Happy?" at it once I'd put in the pass code it sent to my email... not to a sentient being, but to an inanimate object for which I am, in all my grumbling, truly grateful.
So this is my confession, a line from what you shared, Brandon:
The flat tire becomes the headline. The provision becomes the footnote.
That's what I just did!!! That's probably why that image leapt out at me.
Thank you for sharing.
Love that! I actually had a full day of problems right after I published this. I really had to practiced what I preached
Great perspective ! Thank you for sharing.
Great perspective ! Thank you for sharing.
Great perspective ! Thank you for sharing.