A Mini-Minute with Pam: Do Not Dwell in the Past
I was unhappy. Nothing pleased me. People got on my nerves. I felt down on myself. I’d made so many bad choices and I was paying the price for it all. I was miserable. I EXPECTED to be treated poorly be others and they did not disappoint.
Would I ever be happy?
As my Dad would have said, “I felt lower than a snake’s belly” and it wasn’t getting any better. I knew the principle that: We become like whatever we focus on and I was focusing on how bad my life was and what a miserable wretch I was. Would I EVER be a mature Christian? Would I ever be happy? It seemed impossible with the circumstances I was enduring.
I had a kinda mindset shift. I simply could not make myself be better. A “light” went on in my spirit.
I remember the day I prayed: “Lord, keep me from a complaining spirit.” And it has become a daily prayer. I am still becoming like whatever I mediate on, but my meditation has shifted to the wonders of God rather than the awfulness of Pam.
Often grumbling is the by-product of something in the past. That was the case for me, anyway. So many betrayals and so much heartache. But…God has something to say about all of that. He has expectations for His children. He expects obedience. It’s a choice, but for God’s “kids”, it’s not optional. He expects obedience because He knows what is best for us. He makes it very clear. He tells us to not dwell in the past, rather, He says in His word to use His cure…
“Forget the former things; do not dwell in the past. See, I am doing a new thing.”
Isaiah 43:18-19
We might think it is no big deal. But an Anchor devotional got me thinking with this statement: “Grumbling seems like a small sin compared to many. Why should it matter if I complain a little as long as I do the right thing? But like a child who stomps her feet on the way to make her bed, a grumble says NO, even though actions say Yes.”
“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing. Give thanks in all circumstances: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”
Philippians 4:6
Even though everybody does it, there are consequences. God has some things to say about following the example of the grumbler crowd.
Jesus said, “Do not grumble among yourselves.”
John 6:43
“…Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer.”
1 Corinthians 10:10
“Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the judge is standing right at the door.”
James 5:9
It is not a small thing. God is blessed by an attitude of gratitude. I want to make my Heavenly Father happy. Don’t you? Scripture makes it clear that we are to do everything in the joy of the Lord, rather than with a grumbly spirit. And we do that by choosing obedience with a smile. Why? Because attitude matters to God AND to others. God looks at the heart attitude over the outward actions.
Discontent and complaining are like spiritual viruses, infecting others. Complaining against God’s provision is complaining against God Himself.
I think God’s LOVE LANGUAGE is OBEDIENCE. He tells us if we love Him we will obey Him. Let’s make a pact to consciously decide to use God’s cure for the virus of complaining. Join me? Do not dwell in the past, instead, let’s CHOOSE JOY! And walk in it daily!
Let me know how you are doing. Leave me a note in the comments box. Let me know how I can pray for you. To God be the Glory!
God bless you bunches!
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