Jesus Says

Wow.  That was all I could say a few days ago when I read October 9's devotional in "Jesus Calling." Wow. God hit the bulls eye (again).  He went right to the heart of me, brought comfort and correction...all at the same time in a way only He can.

Last week I had been praying about my seemingly unquenchable desire for complaining.  I hate it.  I mumble and murmur to myself, to the Lord.  I rattle on to others, joining in the gripe fest at work.....I'm sick of myself!!!!   I'm tired of hearing myself....I can't imagine what the Lord thinks!  Or can I?

So a few days after I prayed  over this (and am still praying), I read the devotional.  And I was floored!!  It started like this, "You have been on a long, uphill journey and your energy is almost spent.   Though you have faltered at times, you have not let go of My hand.  I am pleased with your desire to stay close to Me."   Ok, sounds great. Very encouraging and oh so welcomed by my heart.   I feel that speaks of my days, my trek though this life quite accurately.  I've always considered myself a struggler; persevering and not giving up no matter how difficult or how many times I screw up-- thankfully, it's the way God made me.

But then the next portion....hmmmmm, well here comes the correction (well deserved to be sure). "There is one thing that displeases Me:  your tendency to complain."   Well, all I can say is "AGREED."  It displeases me too Lord!!  But oh how the Lord works it all together.  Do you see it? I had just prayed about this horrible inclination of mine....grumbling and moaning about the little things, the big things, all things.....It's something I so want to rid my life of.  And knowing that the Lord heard my prayer, knowing it is His desire as well....I know He is pleased with Me in this wanting to end this almost addiction like habit in my life.

And I know that this is the beginning of the end, a prayer that will be answered.  I am on my way to becoming a thanker rather than a grumbler!!  Yaaaay.  What a cool God visit.!!  Only the Lord could get us excited about correction!

Philippians 2:14-15  In everything you do, stay away from complaining and arguing, so that no one can speak a word of blame against you.  You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked and perverse people.  Let your lives shine brightly before them.