Hey, Sweet Things! God prompted me to throw a Monday challenge out on Twitter early this morning and on my way to work it occurred to me that I should extend it to my dear fellow Siestas. Here’s the challenge: to go through this entire day (starting now, in case it’s a little late) until shutting our eyes on our pillows tonight without a single criticism or complaint. Consider it a deliberate exercise in Philippians 2:14-15. What prompted the challenge was my own feeling that I could get cranky today if I let myself. (I didn’t have room to explain it on Twitter.) I’ve told you before about my sleep issue (it runs in my family of origin and, no, I don’t drink caffeine later in the day) and a lot of days I just shrug it off but somehow, when Monday morning follows a short Sunday night, I feel fussier about it. This morning I could see the handwriting on the wall. I made up my mind to choose joy in the power of Jesus’ Name. While turning those pedals on my exercise bike, I told the Lord out loud that I wanted to make it all day long without voicing one single complaint. I could not believe how quickly my mood improved and I feel as happy as one who’s had 10 solid hours of sleep.
Now, let me quickly say this. I’m not a fan of living in denial. Some complaints are legitimate and NEED VOICING! I already had one of those this morning on a good friend’s behalf who is in rough situation. So, what do you do then? Voice it to God! Lord have mercy, don’t think I’m posing as some huge example here this morning. I’m just asking you if you want to join me in being very deliberate about our mouths and our attitudes today. If you have a valid complaint, take it to God and, if possible, say it to Him out loud. It increases the sense that you really did get it off your chest. Sometimes a silent prayer doesn’t carry the same power as one spoken with passion and holy intent. Make some declarations today so even your enemy knows you mean business.
What do we do if we get to noon having already blown it? START OVER!!! How many times we have to start over helps us see how habitual our complaints may be. We may have no idea that some of the people around us think we’re habitual complainers and perpetual nay sayers. We are also part of a culture that shouts from every corner of social media, “If you think it, say it!” and the discipline of self-restraint is circling the drain. Lastly, it just doesn’t help. Murmuring and complaining and dwelling on how much something or someone annoys us only adds to the bad mood.
Think up, Siestas! Let’s choose joy! And let’s choose it out loud. No time to proof this post and write it well. Lots of work to do but I’m doing it with joy. I’m crazy about you guys and think of you every day.
Jesus loves you. This I know.
Thanks, Beth!! I am gonna take you up on it! I have been thinkning alot about complaining, lately. What a breath of fresh air it is to get on the blog and hear from all of you! Thanks be to God!
Woops! I didn’t mean I was thinking of DOING alot of complaining, lately (although, I wouldn’t put it past me :0) I meant I was just thinking about what an affect it has on us and how to stop doing it!
Sorry, the way I had worded it sounded so funny…
my husband has been making fun of me for my last siesta memory verse because it’s only three words. but let me tell you (southern saying alert!) that verse will PREACH. and here it is: Be joyful always. I Thess. 5:16 (NIV). Students getting on my nerves? be joyful always. mess in the kitchen? be joyful always. ALWAYS.
To quote a great Bible Teacher, “I am moving my mind up”! Thanks for the challenge and encouragement!
Kelly
Beth, I’m totally on board with you on this one. It is SO easy to get a case of the Mondays when my toddler is missing Daddy now that he’s back at work, and I realize the pile of mommy/homemaker tasks I let pile up over the weekend. I’m on board, thanks for the challenge, I’m up for it.
Thank you for this great challenge and reminder, Beth. We do so often get caught up in the negative instead of focusing on the positive and joyful aspects of life.
Thank you for this! I’m in…starting now…after a huge gripe fest on the phone this morning with a friend, I’m feeling pretty yucky. Time to reign in my mouth! 🙂
Thank you!!!! This morning I’m having a hard time getting motivated and have blamed everyone and everything. In the name of Jesus, I claim this day and rejoice in His glory. You delivered the message I needed to hear. I may even call my husband and just “be nice”. : )
I agree! I find myself complaining a lot more than I should, especially when it comes to certain things in my life. A day of seeking to face everything with joy sounds refreshing and much needed for me, as I’ve also been struggling hard lately against doubts and fears.
I also wanted to tell you that my mother gave “Get Out of that Pit” to one of her friends and, upon looking at the cover, her friend immediately said, “I like her hair!!! This is how I want my hair!” 🙂 Thought you’d enjoy hearing that.
Have a blessed day!
Love in Him,
Lydia
This post hit me square between the eyes! I had already said the same thing to myself this morning. Knew it was going to be a bad day. I blew it but your post reminded me that I need to choose JOY! Thank you for your obedience to write this post! It blessed me so much,
Amen! Count me in starting at 10:56 am when I read this!
Since I can start over…I accept the challenge. 🙂 Think I will start trading my thoughts for singing the children’s song – I got joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart. Thanks for the challenge.
in joy, In Jesus Name!
mk
Great Idea! Thanks for the encouragement.
Needed to hear that & do it! 🙂 Today suddenly feels joyful! ahhh, way to encourage us, sweet friend!
This reminds me of something I read yesterday (gee… ya think God’s trying to tell me something?!?)… Before you speak, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Before I try to teach that to my children, I’d better start trying to live it myself!
…For the Bible tells me so!
Lovin’ the Word more and more with each new day!
Oh, and thanks for the challenge!
Kelli
I’m IN!
Today my first born turns 18!
I will shower him with verbal blessings!
I’m going to give this a try. I don’t think I’m a complaining person, but I have a feeling that I may find out something about myself that I don’t (and probably would have rather not) know. But to live in denial is pointless, so I accept your challenge, and I’ll know the truth. Maybe those who know me are reading this right now and laughing at the big surprise I’m in for!
Oooooh, this is a convicting challenge. I almost gave up in defeat before even started but then I remembered – I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength! Yes!
Let’s PRAY for each other today, siestas! Satan is NOT going to like this.
So I blew it yesterday, but I have a quote from the Esther study written in the front of my Bible – it says, “Perfectionists always lose.” So I’m taking the challenge again today! Woohoo!
I will take the challenge. !!!
Pam in Indiana
Ok, I’m starting over as of right now. I woke up feeling fussy too. But you are so right, I have a choice. I’m choosing joy. I want to be blameless and innocent, without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, so I can shine as a light in the world. I WANT THAT!!
This is such a great challenge, especially on a Monday! and on top of it, during the winter…we get so much crankier during the winter…what a great thing to remember is that we DO have the joy of Christ and we can choose to use it and be filled! Thanks for the great reminder Beth!
“My heart and soul cry out, to you the Living God…better is one day, (or hour, or minute), in His court, than thousands elsewhere…” shall be my theme song for the rest of this day. Thank you for the encouraging challenge!
Love you through Jesus Beth Moore! =D
Oh Mrs. Moore,
I just wanted to tell you thank you for being so real. Last week, you posted something that made me want to tell you thank you, but I didn’t. So, now is the time. Thank you for letting me into your reality to remind me that marriage is so “roller coasterish”. I just felt you say, “Hang on sister. A thrilling hill is just around the corner!” Also, thanks for letting me in on your sleep situation. Every since child #1 was born, almost 9 years now, I have been plagued with a sleep issue. I don’t even have caffeine at all and I exercise in the morning (you know, they tell you to make sure you aren’t exercising 4 hours before bedtime), sometimes just to jump start my body. It runs in my family as well. Sometimes I just feel so crazy because of it. The doctor tried to get me to take several different “sleep aids”. Wow. I was crazy when I took those things. I felt like some kind of evil demon was inhabiting my body! Ha! One good thing about insomnia is that you can get a lot of intimate prayer time in those wee hours. My prayer partners always know that they can contact me via email, on the possibility that I might be experiencing a great dose of sleep, and I will be praying! 🙂 Got to look at the positive side of it or I will go crazy. Oh man. Maybe I really am!
I’m going to do it! Thanks for the idea, inspiration and who knows how much better my day is going to be. LOVE.YOU.BETH!
Oh how I needed this today! I struggle with mornings…it always feels like we are rushing and running late and forgetting something. And this mother certainly does NOT have the gift of patience down yet. I allow myself to get worked up which then gets everyone else worked up and before I know it we are yelling on the way out the door! I want ALL of my mornings to be different…in Jesus name! I usually am calmed down by the time I get to my desk, but then its too late and I’ve already blown it for the kids and apologies need to wait until after school! Ugh…if I could just see the vicious circle that stumbles ALL of us and not just me!
In Him,
Andrea
I’m in!
I love it! I’m in! 🙂
I will join you in this pursuit! We sang a song in church yesterday that I think you would love as you pedal away! I was listening to it as I walked the treadmill mountain trail. It is called “Shine your light” by robbie seay band. As I was listening and walking I remembered a lesson you were teaching where you described being on a walk in your neighborhood with your hands in the air praising the Lord! Thanks for having a huge impact on my life and so many others, to the glory of God our Father!
Of all the days for you to pose this challenge – today would be the one I need it the most. I pray God gives me the power to control my mouth and my thoughts today.
Hi Beth, I saw your challenge on Twitter this morning (after I had already complained!). I’m so glad I checked out your blog to read the rest of your thoughts on the challenge. Thank you for giving me a goal for today. I will strive to see the challenge through from right now until the day ends and hopefully continue with it tomorrow and the next day and the next day…
Thank you Beth!!
I choose joy!
Thanks for this challenge today. I’ve been struggling with some health issues that result in a lot of pain and that combined with some pretty big stressors at work over the past week had me grumbling to myself on the way to work. Yes, yes, I choose JOY. But more importantly, I choose Jesus. I am confident that He ALONE can handle all of these things. I pray that He will give me the grace to get through today voicing any valid complaints to Him through prayer and not to every human being who crosses my path today.
I, too, had sleep issues last night, so this is a great idea. I’m joining you NOW!
It goes along with my current SSMT verse: “So you also must consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.” Rom. 6:11 ESC
Kathy W., Mansfield, TX
Hey, Mama Beth~
All I can say is WOW! Those are my verses for #3! …and they came out of nowhere. I almost changed my selection thinking “how are these relative to me right now”, but now I am sure the Lord had something to tell/show me.
Oh, how He loves me….
🙂
THANK YOU BETH!!
If I feel myself wanting to criticize or complain today I’m going to offer up praise and thanksgiving to the Lord instead for all of the blessings He has bestowed upon me. He has graciously given me everything I need to live an abundant life and has promised to take care of me and provide for my every need. As my favorite Bible study teacher has said, “you can take that to the spiritual bank”! 🙂
Love,
Kim
Ashland, VA
Love it. And what a great thing to do on a Monday, which is prone to whining already!
I’m in…. starting now.
Be encouraged. Yesterday at church I went to get a cup of coffee and asked if there was a women’s Bible study now. One was mentioned, on my way back to my seat I prayed, “Lord thank you for this study, but…you know I wanted to participate in a Beth Moore study. When I sat down, my husband said, “Let me see the new guide for Spring a minute”. When he opened it, I looked at the book for the first time. The study not mentioned to me was, “Living Beyond Yourself”. I called the leader, she returned my call yesterday and tonight for the first time ever I will be a participant in one of your studies. How great is our God!!!
“This is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice…(and not whine!….:)
I needed this today. Badly. I love knowing that God sees me and knows that I need a “start over”. Thanks for putting a voice to that in print for me today.
Excellent and it’s already 12:40 and I really needed this. Will try to do it for the rest of the day. Thank you for the challenge.
Beth,
Thank you for your heart, for your wisdom, for your joy. He uses you and it tremendously blesses others. What a wonderful reminder of the joy He so desires us to have. I am currently teaching in Afghanistan and I am doing your Patriarch study (we did Esther last year and boy was it timely and culturally appropriate) and I love it.I just wanted you to know that people in Kabul are hearing your truth and are uplifted by the encouragement that you so freely give.
Thanks again.
I just wanted to Thank You for going to a difficult place and bringing the Word of God to these people … reading your post made my heart soar!
Choose joy! Amen!!
Thanks for the encouragemnt on a gray and cloudy day, Beth.
Margie
Amen! Im up for this challenge today. I’m a little late starting it since its already 12:30 here in East Tennessee, but I know I’ve probably did my fair share of Monday Morning complaining around the office. So I’m starting my day anew, no complaining or gripping!!!
How did you sense I was having a problem with this? Amazing! Just the encouragement I needed to hear today. I can so easily get entangled into complaining or criticizing instead of finding the joy and focusing on that. Thanks so much for the reminder! Watching my tongue in Land O Lakes, FL!!!
I choose JOY!
Good challenge! I’ll take it! I need to watch what comes out of my mouth, because I do tend to speak BEFORE thinking/speak WHAT I’m thinking. My name is JOY, for Pete’s sake! Mama always told me I’d best live up to that name, so this will be good for me AND make my mama happy! 🙂
I’m in because I am feeling a bit “out of sorts” today and have been praying God would help me to be loving, patient, kind and gentle. I home school my three teens so my tongue could quickly start a pretty good blaze of sin if I let it. I am taking this challenge as an answer to my prayer! God must have known that I needed a “boost”. 🙂 Love, Karen
LOVE this. Totally needed to hear this. Thanks for the challenge. I’m going to join you!
Interesting in a God coincidence way, I noticed Ann Voskamp {http://www.aholyexperience.com/2011/02/where-the-happiness-is/} this morning is quoting from the book….A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted
a beautiful story about savoring this moment that God ordained and being greatful in it.
so intuned with our non-complaining Monday.
I love Ann. Blessed to line up with her today!
Thanks for your encouragement Beth. It was just what I and my co workers needed.