Philippians 2:14

"Do everything without complaining or arguing." -Philippians 2:14

Yesterday was a stressful day. It seems like every single professor is giving assignments like crazy this week. There are so many things going on--tests, projects, presentations, and homework. Yesterday it all just hit me..the stress of this crazy week. I was complaining so much about every single little thing I had to get done. If you were around me then you heard me complain. All day. For some reason I thought that if I complained about everything enough, then it would eventually just disappear and I wouldn't have to worry about it. Wrong.

After my crazy day I went to Overflow that night. Overflow is an event that college students gather at every week for about an hour or so simply to sing songs of praise to God. I asked that God would open my heart & speak to me & reveal things to me.

Boy. Did he ever get through to me last night.

Why on earth do I complain so much? How is complaining about something bringing glory to God? It's not.

I need to stop complaining about everything. When I complain, it is not glorifying to God in any way. When I complain it is basically me saying "oh hey God...I don't like what you have put in my path today...I don't really appreciate what you are trying to do here." Ouch. That hurts just to even think about. And I know that hurts God when I complain. As God was revealing this all to me, He pointed out other things too. When I am complaining about things in front of people who aren't Christ followers, what do they think? I do not want to be responsible for them thinking that all Christians complain about circumstances. I want them to see someone who relies on God to get them through the day & someone who trusts in Him & someone who does everything possible to bring glory to His name.

It's pretty crazy...I ask God to put me in situations that I won't be able to get through unless He is in the middle of it. And when he gives me those situations, what do I do? I complain about how tough the situation is or how much there is to do instead of rely completely on Him & His strength. God wants me to come to him in every situation and circumstance. He wants to be my strength in my weakness.

I am now choosing to turn my complaining into thankfulness. Not everyone gets the opportunity to go to school, let alone college. I'm choosing to be thankful that I get to go to college. I get to get an education. I get to pursue my dreams by pursuing a degree in Physical Education. I get to learn. I've been given this opportunity and I am not supposed to complain about it.

"Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again-rejoice!" -Philippians 4:4

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever." -Psalm 136:1