31 Days of Repentance
By Monica Kritz
Mitchell County
Day 1: Forgive me for complaining.
As I write this, I think about the Scripture I just read. Numbers 11:1 tells us, “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled;…”
Have you ever known anyone who was a chronic complainer, someone who complained about every little thing? Or worse, have you ever been a complainer, or are you known as a complainer now?
Read all of chapter 11 in Numbers. This Scripture passage is very clear. It is also very convicting. We should not complain. It is bad enough to be around someone who constantly complains; nothing is ever right; nothing is ever good enough. It is also bad to be a complainer yourself. This frame of mind turns you into a negative person. You begin to expect “bad” in every situation. It affects your health adversely. You view the glass as “half empty”, rather than “half full.”
Aside from all of this, stop a moment and think about how this affects GOD. GOD, Who is so loving and caring; yet, HE gets angry. Do you want GOD to be angry with you? I don’t! And more than that, I don’t want HIM to be “displeased” with me, as it says in Numbers 11:1. HE is My Heavenly FATHER. I remember as a child and a youth and even as an adult, I never wanted to displease my earthly Dad. How much more should we be aware of how we treat Our Heavenly FATHER!
So the next time you hear someone complain, ask GOD to give you the right words to say in response and the wisdom to know when to keep quiet. And the next time you complain, listen for THE HOLY SPIRIT to convict you…because HE will convict you. Then take the next step by asking GOD to forgive you.
Challenge:
*If you have a prayer partner or spouse or someone you’re close to, make this a challenge: see who can complain the least. Soon it will become a way of life…and “spill over” into the lives of others!
*Get an empty jar or container. Write down 1 thing to be thankful for every day, and put it in the jar. When you have a discouraging day, take them out and read each one. As the famous hymn states: “Count your many blessings, name them one by one, And it will surprise you what THE LORD has done.” (Johnson Oatman, Jr. 1897)
*Write down Philippians 2:14 and place it on a mirror or somewhere you will see every day.
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Jason and Monica Henley-Kritz live in the beautiful mountains of Spruce Pine, North Carolina, nestled near the scenic Blue Ridge Parkway. Jason is the owner of Joyful Noise Vintage Audio & Electronics, where he repairs, rebuilds and restores vintage electronics. Monica is the owner of Monica’s Music Studio, where she teaches piano and music theory lessons. Jason and Monica were married in 2007, and they give GOD all the glory for any accomplishments in their lives.
Contact Monica with questions about the books or to order hard copies.
Email: monicasmusicstudio@gmail.com
Phone: 1 828 765 8789 ( Leave a message )
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