Lord, Why Won’t You Let Me Have One Good Reason to Complain?

Do you ever get mad at God because He won’t let you have one good reason to complain? I do.

Like last night when I couldn’t sleep.

• Me: “I can’t sleep!”
• Holy Spirit: “Yes, but what a comfortable, warm bed you have to toss and turn in.”
• Me: “Aagh! Why can’t I sleep?”
• Holy Spirit: “It’s certainly not because you went to bed hungry, is it?”
• Me: “I need sleep! I have to work tomorrow.”
• Holy Spirit: “I’ve been meaning to ask you, how do you like that job I blessed you with?”
• Me: “Lord, please help me to sleep, so I’m not cranky in the morning.”
• Holy Spirit: “Perhaps you can ask your friend Nancy how she does it. She’s still smiling after months of trying to sleep in the hospital.”

My morning moments aren’t always better.

• Me: “I wish I could lose weight.”
• Holy Spirit: “Oh, but you can! You only have to do two simple things: eat less and exercise more.”
• Me: “But why is it so easy for some people?”
• Holy Spirit: “Which people? The ones who eat less and exercise more?”
• Me: “Yes, them.”
• Holy Spirit: “Would you prefer to have their problems?”
• Me: [Pause.] “Guess not.”
• Holy Spirit: “You can do this. I will help.”

Afternoon whining can sound something like this:

• Me: “I want to replace my electric stove with a gas range.”
• Holy Spirit: “Oh? Have you and your husband been unable to prepare food?”
• Me: “Well, no, but it would be easier.”
• Holy Spirit: “Have you ever explained your definition of easy to the people of Bolivia and Guatemala?”
• Me: “I wish my home’s side entrance came into my kitchen instead of my dining room.”
• Holy Spirit: “Remember when you were young and would have given anything to have a home of your own?”
• Me: “Never mind.”
• Holy Spirit: “Just doing my job.”

Evening complaints don’t vary much:

• Me: “There’s nothing good on TV.”
• Holy Spirit: “You’re right. How much did you say you pay for cable?”
• Me [throwing down a book]: “And this book is terrible! How did it ever get published?”
• Holy Spirit: “There’s no 11th commandment that says you have to finish it. Have you spent any time today reading the Book I wrote?”
• Me: “I’m just too tired to read.”
• Holy Spirit: “You didn’t sleep well last night, remember? Maybe you should turn in.”
• Me: “I can’t go to bed now; it’s too early. And I’ll miss the news.”
• Holy Spirit: “You are free to exercise your will.”
• Me [after watching the news]: “Sheesh! There’s nothing but bad news!”
• Holy Spirit: “Why don’t you replace it with the Good News I gave you? You know . . .

“For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.  God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16 NLT)

• Me: “Yes, but . . .”
• Holy Spirit: “By the way, Clarice, do you recall Jesus complaining while dying on the cross for your sins?”
• Me: “Uh, no, Lord.”
• Holy Spirit: “Hmm. I didn’t think so.”

“You don’t have to give way to careless speech or complaining. You don’t have to let your feelings get in the way of what God wants to do in your life.” ~ Joyce Meyer

Watch this video for some real complaints from others. 🙂

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10X2IOBnX3s?rel=0&w=420&h=315]