Stopped Dead in My Tracks (TT)

 

This is probably a silly question but have you ever complained before?  Ha, ha!  Who hasn't?

I have often found myself complaining.  As a chronic complainer, one day I was going to it when a friend, who passed on Deborah Smith Pegues' book 30 Days To Taming the Tongue to me after reading it herself, incidently, cut me abruptly off.  She said she didn't want to hear it!

Well, of course I was offended and angry at her.  After taking certain pastoral care courses when "listening with empathy" was hammered into us, I was exceedingly taken aback and complained to myself, over and over in angry thought, that this friend needed to take such a course too!

Having read twenty-three days' worth of this tongue taming book, I now get where my friend was coming from.  It sure stopped me dead in my tracks for a time of introspective 'stocktaking'.

We often go from one person to another seeking out those sympathetic 'listening' ears, asking folks to join our pity party.  However, as Pegues outlines in her book, it's not healthy #1, and #2, take your complaints to the one who can actually do something for you!

People do have legitimate complaints so take it to the authority that is relevant and not to the 101 people who can't help bring about positive change.

Ultimately, the Lord is the one who brings change and He is not a gossiper who spreads the discontent.  I like what Pegues suggests,

"Whenever you feel a complaint coming on, replace it with a statement of gratitude or a declaration of a Scripture you have personalized." (p. 100).

Furthermore, she shares the verses regarding with whom we have recourse.  We can "cry out," and "pour out" our complaint before the Lord as David the psalmist did (see Psalm 142:1-2).

Let's put our trust in the Lord who allows all things in our life to work together for our good (see Romans 8:20).

Lord, help me turn my complaints over to You and to train my mind and heart and tongue with Your Holy Spirit's intervention by singing and saying "statements of gratitude" instead of voicing constant complaints like a broken record.

I ask in Your name, Jesus, amen.

                                                 ~ ERC  June 2025 ~

Based on Psalm 142:1-2.  Also, 30 Days To Taming YOUR Tongue - Day 23 - The Complaining Tongue, by Deborah Smith Pegues.

Sing, Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow, along with Stacey Plays Hymns.