Facing life’s challenges without complaining

Cebu, Philippines — I have realized that when curve balls are thrown into my path and I complain, and sometimes I would say, “What’s this Lord?” the more challenges would come my way. Hence, I have learned to just go with the flow and accept whatever storms come into my life, and I could feel that the burden becomes light. I would whisper, “ Lord, whatever is this, please be with me and give me the grace to accept it. I know you have plans not to harm me, but plans to prosper me, and give me hope for a brighter future.”

I came upon an article that points out that it’s not good for our soul to always complain when the odds of life are against us. It says that the more you complain and whine, the heavier the burden would be.

In the book, “A Miracle Awaits You,” author George Sison writes: “For many of us, one of the things that we have to remove from our consciousness is the habit of complaining. A popular recourse is to point to somebody or something else when situations have taken a turn for the worse, by saying, ‘I do not deserve this! God is not fair. God is playing favorites.’ These are all powerful affirmations which surely you have ‘cast in the waters’ or in your consciousness, and  therefore you will find more of the same kind.”

Sison explains that the universe is very fair. It is exact in its manifestations of our consciousness.  Instead of complaining, keep your mind busy with thoughts like, “God is now desiring for me to discover something about myself, and to uncover the lesson that I shall learn in this dilemma.”

Instead of complaining, Sison suggests instead that we do the following:

• For every complaint that comes to mind, substitute your negative thoughts with positive, and activities that are creative, prosperous, and beautiful.  Or with the blessings that you have been showered from the Lord, give thanks to Him.  As you keep doing this, one day you will realize  you have stopped complaining.

• Your consciousness can be a magnet for the negative, the positive, or both, depending on what you are rejoicing or complaining about. So, every time you complain about a person in your life, say, “Thank you God for this person in my life.” Once you switch your mind to the sense of appreciation, the person you are complaining about will either will be out of your life or change for the better.

• Give thanks for your pain and suffering. Thessalonians 5:18 states: “Give thanks in all circumstances…” It is not very easy for us to turn around and thank the universe for practically everything, including those that we perceive as negative events in our lives. Keep in mind that God is working for your own good. As you develop the attitude of gratitude, you will see the difference in the quality of your life.

• Don’t go around telling people hysterically that something is hopeless in your life. Stay calm.  Psalms 46:10 NIV, reminds us: “ Be still, and know that I am God…” Trust in God’s kindness and mercy.