Instead of complaining, make a Change.

One of my personal goals for this year is to stop being negative about situations. Looking back at my life I realized that I have to some extent being a very good complainer. However I know I am not alone in this.

We live in a culture that is filled with complains and complainers. We whine and complain about almost everything. We complain about our jobs, we complain about our boss, we complain about or spouses, we complain about our children, we complain about our friends, we complain about the government, religion, and everything in-between. We just love to complain.

Complains in itself is not entirely a bad thing because if something is failing, it is very normal for us to talk about it but beyond the place of talking lies the question “what are you doing/going to do about it?”

There is a story about a young black seamstress (Rosa Parks) from Montgomery, Alabama who in 1955 refused to give up her seat for a white man and move to the back of the bus as was expected of black people due to racial segregation.

Rosa Parks made up her mind that “enough was enough”. She said mistreatment of blacks was not right and she was tired of it. She had an option of complaining but instead she made a change.

Her actions made the United State Supreme Court on 13^th November 1956 rule that segregation on Montgomery bus was unconstitutional and racial segregation was outlawed in the United States. The rest of the story is history.

A lot of times we talk of change and the need for change but only a few of us really take steps to make changes in areas of our lives we really need change. We whine and complain about bad leaderships but during elections we don’t go out and vote in the right candidates.

We complain of poor health but we don’t take our dieting seriously much less exercise our body regularly. We complain about bad roads, poor healthcare, epileptic power and more but we never pay out taxes and when we do, we don’t pay in full.

We say it’s the government’s fault that the standard of education has fallen but we seldom want to pursue a career in education. We hate the classroom. Young people only want to work in the banks and oil industries.

We Africans set high expectations for their leaders yet never hold them accountable for their transgressions. The worst part is, even when they (our leaders) are taking us the wrong path, we still re-elect them.

I have seen people complain about abusive relationships they know they shouldn’t be in yet they refuse to make a change and/or move on.

My point is this; complaining about the state of anything does not count as participation. If you don’t like it, what are you doing to change it?

My biggest problem with complaining is that it doesn't accomplish anything.  Complaining about something that we can something to fix is an absolute waste of time and energy. It will only leave you feeling worse off.

If something is within our sphere of influence the least we can (and should) do is, just fix it. If the dishes aren't getting done, do them. If the house isn’t looking clean, role up your sleeves and clean it up.

If you do feel that you really need to complain about something, bring a solution with it. Complaining brings a great deal of negativity into one’s life both internally and for those around you.

If you don't go and cast your vote during elections, you shouldn’t complain about whoever got elected. Complaining won’t change the president or the senators. It will only drain you emotional, spiritual and physical energy.

True change is usually a long and painful process. However, it results are freeing and fulfilling. And the urge to make a change comes from within that is why in Romans 12:2 scripture tells us “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”

We cannot make any meaning change until we change ourselves because sincere change is not something that begins with the other person. It’s something that must begin with us.

It’s only a mind that is renewed that can make a positive change so my question to you is, is your mind renewed? Don’t just stand on the sideline of life and while and complain about everything. Let Christ change your heart so you can in turn make a change no matter how little.

Imagine things you could get done if you stopped complaining and started doing!

Instead of complaining, make a change…

Just Sharing My Thought

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