I'm old enough to recall the days of the official complaint desk.  What's now called the customer service desk was called a complaint desk. I guess some savvy market executive decided it wasn't in the retailer's best  interest to make complaining so easy to do. Smart.

I recently went back to full time work. After a short month I set up a complaint desk of my own. Well kind of.  I questioned in my own mind how they did things. Weary with working my way around websites, procedures and people to complete simple task.  I murmured and complained silently, but I was thinking like a complainer.

For as he thinks within himself, so he is...Proverbs 23:7

Soon I found a partner in crime. I will call her Lynn. We begin to vocalize our complaints in a funny mutual partnership.  Misery loves company. 

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!--Psalm 1:1


Yet  something else was happening on the inside of me. My joy was fading and I began to feel the tedium of work. Soon I actually said aloud to another a co-worker "I am not leaving but I understand why the other two people did."   WHAT!! When I got home it hit me. I couldn't believe I said it.  I prayed nothing would come of my words. That my co-worker wouldn't even recall them. During this short period that lasted about a week. I came home at night feeling ungrateful, tired and burdened. This was not the witness I wanted to have.

The wise woman builds her house, But the foolish tears it down with her own hands.--Proverbs 14:1


When you complain you tear down yourself and others. It's only a short step from there to total defeat.

I confessed all this to my best friend who also faced this struggle recently. We talked about job challenges and how difficult it could be not to moan and groan about it. God knew what I needed. The very next day I heard two bible teachings. One on treating our blessings as a burden the other on complaining.

I repented and I've stopped complaining. I knew I wasn't pleasing God. I needed to continue to be thankful for my job. I told Lynn I was going to stay positive. That I was sorry for complaining. That since I was the "new kid" I had nothing to complain about. I reminded myself that just a few short weeks ago I was praying for a job.

The very next day after I repented and listened to those bibical teachings peace came.  God helped me complete things I just couldn't seem to get to. Wisdom came and my days became much more productive. When people ask me how I am doing. I say good. When they ask and I am facing a huge challenge and deadline,  I still say good. See I know I will see the goodness of the Lord in my situation if I continue to obey Him. When I fell into the cycle of complaining it created a burden. I forgot the words of Jesus.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."
--Matthew 11:29-30