Articles
Control What You Can Control
Control what you can control, and don’t complain. Have you ever observed those who complain the most seem to be doing the worst in almost every area of their life, but those who do not complain are doing the best? Who would you rather be around, one who complained or one who controlled what they could control?
Complaining is toxic. It pulls everybody in reach down. It focuses us on the worst in people rather than the best. It demeans God’s gifts rather than using them to glorify Him. And complaining about something we cannot control is a waste of energy; it never solves the complaint.
The stock market has tanked, the price of oil is way down, my kids need braces, there are so many bills, the kids are too loud, and on and on it goes. Do we really enjoy that? If all I ever see in this world is dark, if my mate is always the devil incarnate, then where is the goodness?
Fear, doubt, anxiety, and frustration all feed complaining. They can dominate us and destroy us, but we have a choice. We can complain about what we cannot control or we can control what we can control and let go of what we cannot.
If ever there was a fellow who had a “right” to complain, it was Paul. Just read 2 Corinthians 11: 25-30. If those things ever happened to me, how would I respond? While imprisoned, Paul writes the Philippians and says what has happened to him was going to be for the furtherance of the gospel. Then he says, “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content. I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:11-13). Isn’t Paul saying that we cannot control what happens to us, but that we can control what happens in us?
Contentment is the complaining antidote. Contentment lowers your blood pressure. Contentment produces joy and peace of mind. Contentment is infectious; people love to be around people who are alive with enthusiasm about life.
Contentment does not mean there’s nothing wrong. Again, Paul is in prison chained to the Pretorian guards. Contentment and complaining are choices; both reveal our heart (Mat. 15:18-19).
So we can focus on the problems or focus on getting better. We can look for an reason to complain or we can look within and find our best.
Complainer or content? Which do you want to be?
