I'm tired of complaining

 Do everything without grumbling or arguing,so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. Philippians 2:14-15

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:4-13

I think it's cool that some of the most quoted verses are here in the same passage of Philippians 4. wow.  

So why did the author put them all in the same chapter? Could it be that all these points are sometimes related?  

That rejoicing in every circumstances comes from choosing not to be anxious.  In order not to be anxious, we must choose to think on the right things.  This allows us to be content in all circumstances.  

Wow...how cool is that.  I feel like often time we think are circumstances determine our attitude, but that doesn't have to be the case.  For if we trust in God, we know that we can do all things through him who gives me strength.  

That being said we must stop acting like we are just caught up in the waves of our circumstances feeling what we must feel in any given situation.  Saying well of course I'm sad, I have every right to be sad, because blah blah blah happened to me. 

Now, let me be clear I am not telling you to hide your feelings or deny them.  You will get sad sometimes and you will get mad but it is what you CHOOSE to do with that feeling that makes the difference.

You don't have to wallow in it.  You don't have to stay in those feelings anymore.   

No, you have to choose to rejoice, for God is good.  You also have to take your thoughts captive.  This is a struggle for me; my mind is a horrible place sometimes.  So, I need to discipline myself to take every thought captive and give it unto God.  Therefore, my anxiety will disappear with my anxious thoughts, and then I will have peace.  

So, I don't know about you I want to rejoice and not complain so I can shine like the stars in the sky.  

We are so lucky.  For we have a faithful God who is our shepherd  

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
2     He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
3     he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
    for his name’s sake.
4 Even though I walk
    through the darkest valley,[a]
I will fear no evil,
    for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
    they comfort me.

5 You prepare a table before me
    in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
    my cup overflows.
6 Surely your goodness and love will follow me
    all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord
    forever.-Psalm 23

So, why do I complain? Its because I choose too.  

Lately I have started to change what I say.  Instead of saying I have to go somewhere I say I get to go somewhere. A very subtle change but that changes your whole perspective.

Your perspective is determined by your outlook on life. Essentially your outlook is your choice.  It's time for us to stand up and be men and women of God, and choose not to change our perspective and not complain.

 

So, let's shine like stars in the sky.