Give Thanks or Complains

Give Thanks

In one of the advertisement for the TV Show – We Are Singaporean, the host Hossan Leong candidly pointed out, and “double-confirmed” that what most Singaporeans like to do during their spare time is to “complain”

While it is difficult to prove how prevalence is this “complaining” tendencies among Singaporeans, the opposite attitude can be observed: Do we often see people giving thanks for the things that are happening around us? Sometimes, but probably not as many times as we would like to see.

Complaining seems to be part of the human nature, because it is so easy to find negative things to say about anything: the weather is too hot, too wet, too dry; the food is too bland, too salty, too expensive; the park is too quiet, too noisy, too dirty; the mall is too far, too crowded, too small, etc. By being negative, it will be hard for us to give thanks and look at the bright side of this blessed life.

Sometimes we refused to give thanks even when things are going in our favor:
My wife was going for lunch with her colleagues. The sky was dark and the rain seemed ominous, but the rain did not happen until they reached the food court. It would be difficult for a group of 7 to find a seat in the food court during lunch hour, but when they arrived, a big table was cleared to accommodate them. The best part is that when they finished their lunch, and were going to walk back to the office, the rain stopped. Others may take it for granted but she gave thanks to God for these little things.

Coincidences? Maybe. Trivial? Maybe. The thing is this: Paul in 1Thess 5:18 says: “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” If we were to give thanks only when God split the Red Sea in our lives, chances are we will never give thanks to Him.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, if life is difficult and full of stress and challenges, why embitter it with more complaints which do us no good and will only make others unhappy? Why not season your life with more thanksgiving and spread the smiles and love and hope to those around us?

If you have to complain, remember this: The Bible records 75 occurrences of thanksgiving and 25 occurrences of complaints. Before you complaint about anything or anyone, think about three good things to give thanks about. May God bless you.