The slim difference between a complaint and a prayer
Our washing machine broke on Monday. During a spin cycle it stopped spinning and started making a horrendous noise.
One of the small graces of renting (especially from a good landlord) is when something breaks, I just have to send a text and the wheels are put in motion for repairs. I texted Monday, our landlord came by Tuesday, and made the decision it was time to replace the washer and dryer.
On the one hand, this is great. The current washer and dryer are over 18 years old, and they were having a hard time doing their job. On the other hand, to order and install a new unit will take ten days, which means no laundry machine for that time.
It would be an easy thing to moan about no in-house laundry for ten days. Perhaps that would be our first reaction to this kind of situation:
My car broke down. I have to take the bus to work.
I went grocery shopping and they were all out of ________.
I dropped my iPhone and cracked the screen.
My ensuite toilet broke. I have to use the other bathroom in the house.
I have a doctor appointment and need to take an afternoon off work to go.
To be sure, these are all inconveniences (some of them big ones), and -- depending on who's footing the bill -- they can be pricey as well. I don't want to minimize the fact that these issues interrupt our regular flow of life and can cause personal or financial anxiety.
However, they are also all "first-world problems." Just to give you a fresh perspective:
Less than 10% of the world's population own a car
One third of the world is malnourished. Two billion people suffer from food insecurity (not knowing if they will have enough to eat tomorrow)
Six out of ten people on the planet do not have access to a flush toilet.
Half of the world has no access to essential health services.
If you earn $30,000 post-tax income per year or more, you are richer than 93% of the world.
With that in mind, it helps me to not complain about minor inconveniences such as lack of washing machine for a few days, because I know most of the world would love to have that "problem."
So how about you?
The Bible gives us much warning about the attitude of grumbling and complaining (e.g. Phil 2:14; James 5:9; 1 Cor 10:10 to name a few). It also encourages us to move toward contentment (Phil 4:11), gratitude (1 Thess 5:18), and positivity (Eph 4:29).
However, if we take a look at the prayers of the Psalmist, we are encouraged not to ignore our complaint, but to turn our complaint into a prayer (many of the Psalms begin as complaint and end as confidence in God's character). After all, Psalm 64:1 says, "Listen to me when I complain, God!"
PAUSE and REFLECT: when inconvenience strikes, what's your first response? It's natural to first think of how circumstances affect us personally, but we can also learn the habit of putting that inconvenience in the bigger picture of life around the globe, which helps us turn the inconvenience into a source of prayer (both for our attitude and for those in need around the globe).
What is inconveniencing you this week? Be honest with God about it. But then think of your neighbour (your local neighbour next door or your global neighbour in a developing country). Would they also consider it an inconvenience, or would they wish they could have that sort of inconvenience in their life? If you're brave, ask Google how many people in the world don't even have the opportunity for your inconvenience.
And above all, remember how the Lord loves you, blesses you, and keeps watch over you, no matter what frustration you experience today.
A Prayer for Gratitude
Father, I am sorry for the way I complain about my circumstances. Please forgive me for my bad attitude when things don't go my way. I want to see Your hand in every part of every day - good or bad. Help me learn how to face every storm with confidence, knowing that You really are in control even though I cannot hear Your voice or see Your hand at work. In Jesus Name, Amen.
~ Mary Southerland
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Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash