In all situations, there is a choice
By inner thought, word, or gesture
Either we will complain or rejoice
Others witness our response for sure
A devotional I read shared this insight
I pass it along for everyone to reflect
To complain says God did not do it right
For He is in control of it all and perfect
Maybe at work you had a difficult day
Then road repairs cause traffic to jam
Someone refuses to give right of way
You just complain over and over again
Instead encourage someone at work today
Wait patiently when traffic comes to a halt
Let it go when cut-off along your pathway
Rejoicing focuses on God apart from faults
Consider Paul and Silas in a prison cell
They were flogged, stripped, and beaten
Feet fastened and bound in stocks as well
They refused to give up in being defeated
The jailer was commanded to stand guard
Watching their every move very carefully
Imagine his reaction at midnight he heard
Singing praises and prayers to God joyfully
Acts 16:22-25 (NIV)
22 The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the
magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. 23 After they
had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the
jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. 24 Upon receiving
such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet
in the stocks. 25 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and
singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.
Philippians 2:14 (NIV)
Do everything without complaining or arguing.
Philippians 4:4 (NIV)
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
