LADDER OF COMPLAINT

4/11/11

Such a title might seem like a typo of sorts since most often we hear of “letters of complaint.” The CA Letters to the Editor column has certainly had more than enough of them about teachers lately. This title is correct----it’s a reflection of my morning’s Jesus Calling marginalia.

Through the years I’ve been taught to take all of your struggles and complaints to the Lord. Anne Graham Lotz even suggested writing them out on paper and balling them up to physically rid yourself of them as you “metaphorically” leave them at the Lord’s feet for Him to handle.

“Begin this day with open hands of faith, ready to receive all that I am pouring into this brief potion of your life. Be careful not to complain about anything,…..” (Jesus Calling, 4/11) After reading that I jotted a list and underlined each complaint. The list began to look like a ladder----each rung going downward. I realized that my complaints do just that. They are like a ladder leading down to a “pit”---more specifically a “pity pit.”

The best way to change that direction is through thankfulness. That’s scriptural so I plan to “think” on that today.

"In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you." (I Thessalonians 5:18)

What’s the will of God concerning you? (and me) That in everything we give thanks.

I think I need to change my ladder of complaint for one of contentment----one that’s “upward” bound----that’s the way to stay out of the pit.

6But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. (I Timothy 6:6-8)