Counting Your Blessings: No Time For Complaints or Excuses!

In today's world it seems there are a million opportunities a day to "say" things, whether they be good or bad. Nothing is private anymore, and it is very easy to get sucked into complaining about things in an off-handed way. Our husbands don't help enough around the house; our kids require too much of our time; our house is too small; we don't like our job or didn't get that promotion/new job we were hoping for. Pretty much "life stinks," just worded differently. Always focusing on the negative side of things.

Do we take time each day to think about the good things in our lives? The hymn "Count Your Blessings" comes to mind. Have you ever really looked at the words?

When upon life’s billows you are tempest tossed,

When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

(Refrain)

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

Count your blessings, see what God hath done!

Count your blessings, name them one by one,

And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?

Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,

And you will keep singing as the days go by.

(Refrain)

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;

Count your many blessings. Wealth can never buy

Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

(Refrain)

So, amid the conflict whether great or small,

Do not be disheartened, God is over all;

Count your many blessings, angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey’s end.

(Refrain)

This song reminds us that comparing our lot to others will only leave us discontented and discouraged. Whether it be comparing worldly possessions, or the things we have to do day to day, or our jobs... All of those things take our minds off of what we should be focusing on -- that we have been so richly blessed already. 

A mouth that is busy counting blessings and singing praises all day long does not have time to complain or make excuses! Have you heard the saying, "If you have time to lean, you have time to clean"? Well, I say...

If you have time to complain or make excuses, you have time to make positive changes in your life.

If we are honest with ourselves, each and every aspect of our lives stems from our own decisions. We don't have the right complain or make excuses about the consequences of our own choices or actions. All we can do is remember that God will take care of us, even if it is not in the exact way we think it should be. We are not promised a "cushy" life here on earth, but we are promised a splendid one for eternity. Isn't that wonderful? 

Do you know one of those people who is always complaining? Someone whom you never ask "how are you?" because you know they'll tell you how bad things are. Instead, don't give them the chance to complain. Say, "it's great to see you today!" or something like that. Surrounding yourself with negativity just makes you negative; conversely, surrounding yourself with positive people will make you look at life in a positive way. For example, I recently started following southern cook Christy Jordan (see her website) on Facebook. She always makes an effort to look at the bright side of things (even when she herself has recently been placed in a wheelchair for medical reasons). She never complains! And I really appreciate that. It takes no effort at all to complain, but it takes constant awareness to stay positive and focus on the blessings in our lives.

So the next time you get ready to post to Facebook, text a friend, etc., take a minute to really think about your words. Are they positive? Could they be seen as complaining? Are you showing that you are truly thankful, or do you have to put the disclaimer that you "aren't complaining"? Then re-word it, or just don't say anything at all.