Carlene, my wife, often says, “When you have a pain, don’t be one.” In this “selfie” age, it seems more is about “me” instead of “Thee.” There are times you ask, “How’s your day?” Then 30 minutes later, you wish you had not asked.
Dave Ramsey replies, “Better than I deserve.”
One man prayed, “Lord, thank you for this day that we have never had before.”
One woman says, “When I feel good, I feel bad, because I knows I’m going to feel bad again.”
Some say, “Oh well! Another day above the ground.”
Some sing, “Gloom, agony and despair. If it wasn’t for bad luck, I would have no luck at all.”
I like this, “Be grateful when you are feeling good, and graceful when you are feeling bad.” Paul and Silas in prison were “Singing in the pain.” What is worse than a complaining church member? Answer: A complaining pastor, deacon, teacher or missionary. Why? Because we should know better!
Professor G.W. of Harvard University urges that more studies be made of happy, healthy people instead of the many studies of sick, anxious, and complaining people.” Oswald Chambers said, “It is a great thing to see physical and moral courage, but the greatest is to see the spiritual courage of a person who stands true to the integrity of Jesus Christ no matter what he or she goes through!”
Fanny Crosby was one of the most gifted known hymnist. Though blinded by an incompetent doctor at six-weeks of age, she wrote over 8,000 hymns. At age eight, she wrote, “Oh, what a happy soul am I, although I cannot see! I am resolved that in this world contented I will be.” She often said, “The first face I see will be the face of Jesus.” (hymntime.com). It is not what happens to you, but in you that makes the difference.
How many complaining Christians do you know? How many contented Christians do you know? Contentment and complaining are incompatible. They cannot exist together. Complaining is natural, but contentment must be learned. Paul said, “For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound… I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:11-13). I often say, “The greatest testimony to the world is a changed, consistent, and contented Christian.” So when you have a pain, don’t be one. This is a good day to have a good day. As we say in Trenton, “Y’all have a good-un!”
