Stop Whining

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“ . . . for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Phil 4:11 ESV).

It was my friend’s Birthday Breakfast, but we also used the time to catch up. We covered our families, our writing, our personal achievements and our struggles. It’s one thing to share but I’d gone from sharing to whining. You know, those statements that make their way to the surface from the discontented places in our soul.

 

Looking past me to the lady in the booth behind me, my friend interrupted my whining and said, “Beth, I think the Lord is trying to tell you something.” I turned and saw in big red letters the word STOP and under it the word WHINING. Yes, right on the front page of the Lifestyle Section of our local paper—STOP WHINING. We laughed about it but I knew the Lord was indeed trying to get my attention.

 

Throughout the day the image of the paper flashed before my mind. As it did I counted my blessings. I knew there were many—my husband now has a full-time job and also a church to pastor, I have a job I enjoy as well as writing and speaking opportunities, we both have good health, and our children and grandchildren are all doing well. But there was more, so much more for I was only concentrating on the physical and not the spiritual. Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3-8 that I’m also chosen in Christ and I’m:

  • Blessed in Christ with every spiritual blessing in heavenly places
  • Chosen in Him before the foundation of the world
  • Adopted and accepted as a child through Jesus Christ according to the purpose of His will
  • Redeemed through His blood
  • Forgiven of my trespasses according to the richness of His grace

 

When I think on these things I’m also reminded of Phil. 4:11 when Paul writes “ . . . for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” For us to have the abundant life Jesus talks about in John 10:10, we must learn to be content in whatever situation we are in and STOP WHINING.

 

I’m glad my Heavenly Father loves me enough to get my attention.

 

Has He gotten your attention lately?

 

Beth Fortune

Beth has a passion for God's Word. Through her writing and speaking she allows the heartbeat of the Father to flow through her words. As an award-winning writer she’s a contributing writer with Christian Devotions and has had stories published in two "Chicken Soup For the Soul Book" Series in addition to other anthologies. Some of her articles have been published in Focus on Family’s "Thriving Family" magazine and Dr. Charles Stanley’s "In Touch" magazine. With a degree in Ornamental Horticulture she loves gardening and enjoys giving gardening talks to churches, schools, and community groups but her real enjoyment comes from sharing God's truths and encouraging others. She and her husband live in Mauldin, SC where they are in a season of caregiving for her father-in-law in the home. A diffiult season, but one in which God continues to show His grace. You can visit her at www.bethfortune.net.

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4 comments

  2. Such a great reminder for ALL of us. Love that God actually gave you “a sign”! 🙂 I appreciate your list from Ephesians 1. That is such a powerful passage. Thank you!

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