On Complaining

From a friend's blog.  I very much like what she wrote and wanted to share it!  God bless!

"There are many promises in the Bible. God says, 'if you do this thing, you will get this blessing.'  I was reading James today and I got stuck on verse 12 of chapter 1. It says " Blessed is the man who perseveres under trials, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him."

What does it mean to persevere?

The definition of persevere is: "Continue in a course of action even in the face of difficulty or with little or no prospect of success."

Persevere, then, means that you don't give up, no matter what.

I have to wonder, though...will God bless you if you persevere but you complain and have a bad attitude the whole time? Can you do God's work with a bad attitude and the outcome still be the same.

I like to think that we as Christians are supposed to be like Jesus. Jesus didn't complain about doing what God told him to do. He came and he did what he was supposed to do. Sure, he prayed "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."(Luke 22:42 NIV). He wanted to not have to be crucified and die on the cross, but he wanted God's will to be done more than his. He did not complain, and pout, and have a bad attitude about it, he just did it.

I believe that God's work will be done regardless of your attitude, but it may take longer and the blessing may not be the same.

The Israelites were in the wilderness for 40 years, when it should have only taken them 11 days to get to the promised land. They complained the whole time. God still got them there, but very few of them actually got to live in the promised land.

So no, I don't think you will be blessed if you complain, and pout, and have a bad attitude while you do the thing you are supposed to do. I think that God's work will be done and his plan will be fulfilled, but you will miss your blessing."

Amen!

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