Complain – Compare – Compete

I spend lots of time reading articles in my search for good blog material. What? Surprised I sometimes need inspiration? Don’t be. Yesterday I read an article about three things that happy people don’t do.  The three things were Complain, Compare, and Compete. My first thought was, “Good Advice.” If I did less of those three things, I would be happier.

However, the words kept running around in my head and they just didn’t seem right or, God forbid, “biblical.” Follow where I drifted.

Complain – I hate complainers. I hate myself when I complain. I hate complaining, because I don’t know what I’m suppose to do about the subject of the compliant. I’m told men are fixers. I don’t like it when someone I love complains and I can’t fix it. I know I’m “just suppose to listen” but I’m a man. I can’t do that at least not comfortably. I feel embarrassed when I complain and realize the person I’m complaining to can’t fix it either. I also hate it that he/she wasted time listening.

I can point to numerous bible verses which support the idea that grumbling and complaining are not good things. Yet if something isn’t right, shouldn’t I take it to the one who can fix it? Isn’t there someone out there that can fix stuff?

With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord.
I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.” Psalm 142 1-2

I guess I would change this one to “Complain only to God then shut up and move on.” Doesn’t have the same ring to it, but sorry about that.

Compare – I have bought myself plenty of misery by comparing myself to others. I live with a “stones throw” of the richest guy in Acadiana. That leaves lots of opportunity for comparison. Yet, my greatest encouragements come when I visit the brothers at Angola. That sets up some comparisons that make me very grateful. If I compare my situation with most of the world, I am truly blessed.

I also get motivation from comparison. I am motivated when I compare my energy level with those of the energizer bunnies I know. I am motivated when I compare my walk with those who are far ahead of me spiritually.

I guess I would change this one to; “Compare carefully.” Yes. I like that.

Compete.  I know “striving” is not a good thing, but aren’t we in a race and isn’t there a prize? “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” Yes. That’s the verse I was thinking of.

I mean if I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, doesn’t that mean I should be doing something. Maybe competition has become politically incorrect, but in life there are winners and losers. The one who dies with the most toys ISN”T the winner, but the goal is to store up treasure, as long as it’s heavenly. I don’t recall a beatitude that goes, “Blessed are those who sit in the stands and cheer.” The cheerleaders are the ones who have finished the race.

Maybe I would change this one from “compete” to “Complete.” We have a task, to complete the work that Christ started in us and in our world. We do it through His power, but it still requires us to DO.

Complaint only to God. Compare Carefully and Complete. There that sounds better.