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.
FYI, just wanted you to know how this post just keeps on blessing. I have a very dear friend who I can confide anything and everything to, and I confess I tend to go to her more than the Lord some days. So I told her of this challenge (she thought it was wonderful)and I was intending it to only be for that Monday, the 12 hour period that I was active, and then it would be all over. Then I could go back to complaining as needed. Well, several days later I was on the phone with her discussing the terrible state of my home with all the piles of laundry and the lack of concern by other family members, trying to come up with a helpful solution, when she interjected this question – “Have you complained to the Lord about this?” A very gentle reminder, and it just occurred to me how very much I do all my complaining to her, and she just might get weary with it. But the Lord never tires of our oft coming to Him. So thank you, Beth, for stretching me in this direction!
Blessings~
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Carol, Pierre, Search me O God and know my heart; Try me and know my anxieties; Psm 139:23
II Timothy 1:12 For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have committed to Him until that day. NASB
Jana, Wilmington, OH
John 14:7&9 NIV
If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on you do know him and have seen him. 9…Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.
“His Forever May I Not Forget”
You saw me when no other did
Held hostage to Satan’s unrelenting bid.
Stooping down into the mire
You saved me from that great Liar.
O deep saving grace
How sweet you did taste.
When I came to understand
That I was no longer damned.
But now I clearly do
And thanks to you, I’m brand new.
Abundantly bestowing your precious Holy Spirit
Not given through any of my merit.
Only from Your Son’s precious blood
Flowing freely from His love.
The powerful redeeming work on the cross
Made hell and its wretchedness my only loss.
With such truth before me
May I bend both knees.
Please have my entire all
For only you can keep me from a fall.
For never should I forget
That all God’s demands you met.
Vicky, Overland Park Psalm 100:2 NIV
Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
Royse City,
Psalm 121:1
I lift my eyes to the hills from where does my help come?
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 NIV
Eph. 1:3
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ”.
Life App. NIV Study Bible
March 15th scripture verse:
Matthew 21:22 (NIV) – If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.
Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and mighty things you do not know.” NIV
I am calling, Lord! I desperately need to hear your voice.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV