Contemplating over Complaining

Every day since April 15, 2021, I have had something I could have complained about. I still have substantial complaints that could justify any unproductive action  I could choose to take.  From the excruciating consistent pain, mobility deprivation to the lack of financial stability, I could at any moment present signs of depression or worse. However, there is a scripture that comes to mind that can somewhat depict why that is NOT my story. 

      "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:6‭-‬7 NLT)

God's peace is absolutely beyond comprehension. I can not by any means credit myself with anything except choice. I can smile and be productive not because everything is okay but simply because I have been granted the experience of God's peace. I want to say this has been a gift given to me since my choice to serve God through Jesus Christ. I've always been able to get through hard times with the Grace of God and it seem so easy for me. Stress is something pretty foreign to my life. I am not saying I haven't been in any stressful situations but with the Peace of God, my experience has always been favorable. That includes toxic relationships, kids, work, family/friends, financial status and my health. With situations like homelessness, narcissistic relationships and cancer scares to list a few, I have always been able to get through them with a smile because of my trust in God. Yes, I have been angry or scared but it will always be temporary. In my current situation it could be a permanent thing but I still trust God. Sure the pain is a lot, sure I get frustrated with my kids, I absolutely dislike the fact I need help with just about EVERYTHING and yet, I AM okay. No matter what "Job Experience" I have gone through God has allowed me peace and grace to see them through. I am happy that I AM here to feel the pain. I AM  happy to be able to see and care for my children. I AM blessed to have people willing and able to care for me.

Could I complain? Yes, but I choose to contemplate. Instead of complaining about what I am going through, I contemplate how Good God is to me. I think about what I have already been delivered from and how I escaped death not once but so many times. Like when one of my closest friends who had fallen to addiction put a gun in my face and it went off.  Or, when I was in jail waiting to be extradited to another state without bail for something I did not do. How about the time I came home to being wrongfully locked out of my own house. Yeah I been through some things. In all of that, I was able to smile because I chose to contemplate over complaining.

If you are not able to tap in to this gift of peace please know it is possible. Pray! Pray about everything. Not just your problems but about all your experiences, good or bad. Tell God what it is you are in need of and then be thankful for what God has already done in your life and what will be done. Then, that undescribable peace is yours. It's not my promise but God's. I AM simply here to show and tell you it's really possible.

So the next time you find yourself complaining stop. Then choose to contemplate on the Goodness of God.

S/N: I did not intend for this blog to take the direction it did but I AM thankful it did.