Grumbling...

"Do all things without grumbling or disputing; that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world...."

Philippians 2:14-15

I have thought a lot about this verse lately. It has become a prayer of mine not to grumble. I have not attained this goal as of yet...but I am trying! It basically is all about walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh. It is my choice. I can choose to get up and grumble, which is walking in the flesh, or not grumble and praise God for my blessings, which is walking in the Spirit.

Grumbling doesn't necessarily have to be spoken verbally. It can be the mutterings and grumblings that we say to ourselves. Such as, "I am so sick of this hamper being full of dirty clothes. Every time I turn around it is full." Hmm....sound like grumbling? I have muttered that to myself over the years. Funny thing is, I have half the laundry that I once had with children at home and I can still grumble that the hamper is always full. Go figure! It all narrows down to a heart attitude and walking in the Spirit. If I am walking in the Spirit...my heart attitude will be right.

I have noticed that since I am really trying not to grumble that my ears are more sensitive to other people grumbling. Have you ever been around someone who was always negative and grumbling? I think to myself, "God, is that how I sound to you?" I could just picture God having that Fatherly smile and one eye brow raised.... and I knew my answer.

This verse in Philippians says we are lights in the world. Every time I grumble I think my light must flicker. I want to shine bright for the Lord, don't you?

Heavenly Father, give us ears to hear what we say both verbally and in our thoughts. Help us to be children that walk in Your Spirit and not in our flesh. May praises be on our lips and our heart attitudes right, as we strive to be lights in the world around us.