Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Filing A Complaint

When any fit of gloominess, or perversion of mind, lays hold upon you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaints. ~Samuel Johnson

I personally believe we developed language because of our deep inner need to complain. ~Jane Wagner

Untold suffering seldom is. ~Franklin P. Jones

Learn to accept in silence the minor aggravations, cultivate the gift of taciturnity, and consume your own smoke with an extra draft of hard work, so that those about you may not be annoyed with the dust and soot of your complaints. ~William Osler

I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. ~Joe Walsh

It is no use to grumble and complain; It's just as cheap and easy to rejoice; When God sorts out the weather and sends rain -Why, rain's my choice. ~James Whitcomb Riley

The people who live in a golden age usually go around complaining how yellow everything looks. ~Randall Jarrell

Man spends his life in reasoning on the past, in complaining of the present, in fearing future. ~Antoine Rivarol

The tendency to whining and complaining may be taken as the surest sign symptom of little souls and inferior intellects. ~Lord Jeffrey

Instead of complaining that the rosebush is full of thorns, be happy that the thorn bush has roses. ~Proverb

Php 2:14 ¶ Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.

1Ti 6:6 ¶ But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

Just some reminders about what a wonderful blessing contentment is and how easily one can fall into the pit of complaining. It is so common that we sometimes forget what a sin it is in the eyes of God. May I strive to not only rid my own life of this tendency but also be an encourager in helping others seek contentment in this world. Both can be difficult tasks, but scripture shows this is an important part of living a godly life. I cannot overlook it nor diminish its importance.

8 comments:

Elizabeth said...

Some wonderful quotations and admonition, thank you.

Kelly Spezzano said...

Talk about humbling words... I find myself often taking for granted the blessings of life by overshadowing them with complaints of the "light afflictions" of this life. Thank you for the reminders!

Anonymous said...

That was very good. I only wonder why you waited so long to post this.

Piano Man

Chris said...

Sister Strem: Thanks for the exhortation to us. I know I complain far too much, especially since I am far too blessed, when compared to what I deserve.

Perhaps that's just it, we think we deserve more than we do, but because we are such sinners, we deserve nothing but wrath and judgment. But thanks be to God for His goodness!

Again, thank you for the good exhortation.

Love,
CC

Anonymous said...

Those are some great quotes and an even greater reminder. Wait. Does this mean I can't complain about winter? I mean, it is snowing again.

strem said...

Dad, if it is OK with you, I'm going to just file your complaint in the circular file. ;) Love you!

strem said...

Brother Jeremy, normally I would say yes. But, then it might seem like I'm complaining about complainers, so I wouldn't want to do that!

Anonymous said...

lol. It's a lose-lose. It's like when people say, "You shouldn't be so judgmental." You really can't say that without being judgmental.