Wah!

Have you ever noticed how much people whine, not referring to babies, but adults? At times I'm amazed at how many adults whine, moan, complain or grumble. I've been there just like everyone else. In the past I've whined and complained, but I recognize it was wrong. Nowadays, those who know me best would agree that they seldom hear me whine or complain. I thought babies whined and yet people who whine often want to be treated as adults. Go figure? Whining is defined as, "to snivel or complain in a peevish, self-pitying way." So what makes us whine? Perhaps we didn't get what we wanted? Or we didn't like what someone said or did? Maybe we feel it's our right? Or perhaps we really have no reason and it's just who we are? Whatever the reason, it's not a very good one. I love today's picture of a grown man with a pacifier in his mouth. As ridiculous as it looks, this is exactly how we look when we whine. A great picture of how God views whining is found in Numbers 11. In verse 11 we read, "Moses heard all the families standing in the doorways of their tents whining, and the LORD became extremely angry." Whining didn't sit so well with Him. If whining isn't what should come out of our mouths what should? I love what the Message says should come from our mouths in Ephesians 4:29, "Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift." Can you imagine if the only things that came out of our mouths were helpful and that we viewed our every word as a gift? Today I challenge you to let your words help and view them as gifts. If you don't, you risk looking like the guy above :)