Complaining, cont.

I'm at it again this evening. I'm not sure I've ever faced this issue quite as seriously in my Christian life. I don't think that's a good thing, but thankfully God hasn't given up on me. I'm learning the value of being obedient to our Father in this area of not being a complainer. I'm learning that the words I speak come from who I really am inside. I'm learning that I can put on a good face when I walk into church, or meet a friend. I can say all the right words without even thinking about them much. It seems we can train ourselves to do that, especially after we're saved.

I have handled major things in my life fairly well I think. I don't go on a rant or lose my religion over the biggies. It's the every-day stuff that strives to undo me. It's the so-called small stuff and according to some books out there, we're not supposed to sweat the small stuff. Leave that be and deal with the larger issues. Not so.

Left unattended, the small things will eventually spoil the whole. Thus I must make every effort to allow the precious Holy Spirit to rule and reign in my life. I must think twice before speaking hurriedly or rashly. I must make a conscious effort not to complain or use words that will hurt someone and damage my testimony as a child of God. I must ever strive not to grieve the Holy Spirit. God, please forgive me for the times I have! I must care more about God's opinion of me than I do of man's. How often we try to fit in and do harm to our witness and our walk with the Father by doing do.

I read this tonight: "Often the hostility in our hearts reveals itself through our words and actions. The word "tongue" is mentioned ninety-three times in the Bible, often referring to its destructive power."

Luke 6:45 says "Good people do the good that is in them. But evil people do the evil that is in them. The things people say come from inside them." - God's Word Translation

In all this I see the work of my Father in me. If I am truly His child, He will not leave me to my own devices for very long. As His child, He will chastise and bring me into line with His character. As hard as I think this may be, I ask Him to please finish what He's started. I want to be pleasing in His sight. I want to be considered worthy to be called "Child of God". I want to be real and really His. I want to be filled with His precious Spirit. I want to cultivate a clean heart and pure speech. I want Him to be seen in me in all I do, all I think, all I say. I want to decrease that He might increase. I want to die to self, help me Father do this, die to self and what I want. Let me want what You have for me, nothing more and nothing less. I want to hear "Well done, good and faithful servant" when I meet Him face to face.