How to Stop Abundant Life in Three Easy Steps

Step 1: Complain.
Step 2: Complain.
Step 3: Complain.

Complaining is a pit with which I found myself most familiar this week.  Unfortunately, it is a plague that breeds quickly and can be difficult to escape.  It is easy to fall into when circumstances are not what we would like them to be.  However, this reality does not offer us an excuse, because we know God’s reality overcomes the perceived reality of this world.  Complaining robs us of the abundant life that the Lord desires us to walk in every moment of every day.

Complaining is dangerous and destructive:

“nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer. Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” 1 Cor 10:10-11

But we always have a way out:

“Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” 1 Cor 10:12-13

When we find ourselves in the midst of an opportunity to complain, we have a way out. If you’re like me, you complain about day-to-day stuff like long hours at work, car repairs and traffic.  I believe the key to avoiding the temptation to complain and walking in abundant life instead is to involve God in the day-to-day stuff, all the gory details.  

The Lord cares about the details and wants to be involved.  There isn’t anything He can’t handle!  There have been several occasions where He has helped me solve a problem writing computer software at work.  Why?  Because He loves me, as He does you:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” - Matt 10:29-31

God knows every hair on our heads, and He completely understands every situation we walk through, which is why we can walk in abundant life, even in the midst of something really awful.

If we seek Him instead of complaining, He can show us the path of life through the messes in our lives.  Our mess for His life; now that’s a deal and a half!  We have so much more to be thankful for than we have problems to complain about.