Have you ever felt grumpy, but you knew in your heart there really wasn’t a good justification for being a grouch?
Our flesh seems to revel in grumbling when things are less than perfect. We know that life could be much worse, but we’d rather gripe than act joyful.
On the other side of the fence, you and I both have experienced days that were truly horrific. We’ve probably had legitimate excuses for being a bit grouchy at times.
But then we come to that testy question…
Does grumbling please God?
In the Old Testament, we read how the Israelite people grumbled and complained often. It displeased God much.
Looking into the New Testament, how would Jesus have responded to those unkind words or to that unpleasant situation you’re facing?
We have to admit, Jesus was the ultimate example of humility. Truly, our feathers get ruffled due to our pride. We feel we deserve better. “How dare that person say those unkind words to me!” “How awful that person is who treated me that way!”
Our circumstances do bring hurt and frustration at times, but how we react will either help or hurt our testimony.
Allowing ourselves to linger in the nest of grumpiness allows our spirit to remain down.
We can train our minds (*also see Philippians 4:8 kjv) to be grateful and put away the grumpiness, and in doing so, we will be happier — and more pleasant to others who have to be around us. Ha! ha!
Here’s FIVE simple ways to change your attitude from grumpy to grateful…
*Sidenote: You can write these main points and Bible verses in your journal during the week.
1. Start your day off with thanksgiving.
We’re to enter into prayer time with thanksgiving, which sets our heart with a grateful attitude.
Being thankful turns our negative thoughts into positive ones. Being thankful creates contentment. Being thankful brings us a peaceful heart.
Be sure to take time to give thanks to our Heavenly Father each day. Some people like to write in a gratitude journal in the mornings. Here’s a few verses on thanksgiving…
“Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give thanks: for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.” – Psalm 75:1 kjv
“Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.” – Psalm 100:4,5 kjv
“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.” – Psalm 107:1 & Psalm 136:1 kjv
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6,7 kjv
“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.” – Colossians 3:15 kjv
“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” – Colossians 3:17 kjv
“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – I Thessalonians 5:18 kjv
2. Praise God at every opportunity.
It surely is hard to grumble when you’re busy praising God. God loves to hear our praises, so we’re getting a double blessing by glorying God, and our hearts are lifted above the misery of our circumstances.
“I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his lovingkindnesses.” – Isaiah 63:7 kjv
“Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” – Psalm 50:23 kjv
3. Learn to be content.
When we are content with what we have, we will not have reason to grumble and complain about what we don’t have.
During trying situations, we can also be grateful that our circumstances are not worse than they presently are. They could be much worse! Therefore; I can stop grumbling and start being thankful and grateful with this new perspective.
“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” – Psalm 118:24 kjv
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28 kjv
“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” – Philippians 4:11 kjv
“And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” – I Timothy 6:8 kjv
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” – Hebrews 13:5 kjv
4. See everything as a gift from God.
It’s easy to overlook the little things in life. But, oh how our perspective changes when we see God’s goodness in every little thing. With all God’s goodness towards me, and all the little gifts He’s bestowed on me, how can I now grumble?
“And thou shalt rejoice in every good thing which the LORD thy God hath given unto thee, and unto thine house, thou, and the Levite, and the stranger that is among you.” – Deuteronomy 26:11 kjv
“The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.” – Psalm 126:3 kjv
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” – James 1:17 kjv
“Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;” – I Timothy 6:17 kjv
5. Fix your heart.
When we’re grumpy, we often say things we shouldn’t to others. Most of the time, a continual spirit of grumpiness stems from a heart issue.
What lingers in our heart will proceed out of our mouths. To change your grumpy nature, ask God to change your heart.
“O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” – Matthew 12:34 kjv
“A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.” – Matthew 12:35 kjv
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.” – Matthew 12:36 kjv
“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.” – Matthew 15:18 kjv
I hope this little devotional will encourage you to work on turning your grumpy spirit to one of a grateful spirit.
Take time to laugh and enjoy life… it will do some good repairing to a lowly heart.
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22 kjv
