A week ago I was sitting in my deer stand feeling very sorry for myself.
“This stinks.” “I am wasting my time in this stupid place.” “All the other guys I know have harvested huge bucks but not me.” “I don’t have any great places to hunt.” “I wish I had a good friend to hunt with today.” “Why can’t I own a sweet piece of land on Bent Mountain and have an ATV like my friend David?”
Whine, Whine. Then all of a sudden it hit me. “Dude, you are a major league ingrate! God has given you the day off. You are in the top of a tree, overlooking one of the most beautiful places in the world. You have time to think and pray and relax. What are you whining about. Stop being so incredibly ungrateful. Why don’t you try giving God thanks for the many, many blessings He has given you. Stop looking through negative glasses.”
In just the snap of a finger my attitude changed. It was almost like negative glasses were ripped off. For the first time in a long while I could see clearly and I could see how good and generous the Lord has been to me. The change of heart felt like my world went from cold, sterile, black and white to warm vibrant color. I AM one of the most blessed guys I know. And yet, sadly, about all I have done recently is feel sorry for myself and complain and fail to be content with the unbelievable provision God has given to me.
What about you? You may hate hunting (or more aptly tree sitting). That is not the point of this article so don’t get side tracked. Are you a grateful person? Have you learned the “secret of being content?” Maybe it would be a telling exercise not to “self-evaluate’ but to ask your family and close friends to rate you from 1-10 . . . with 1 being the rating of a serious complainer and 10 being the rating of a person who exudes thankfulness. Ask them to be brutally honest and cite some examples. Maybe you could ask God what he sees in your heart.
How must the Father weep when he gives us His Son and every good thing and all we can do is complain and feel ripped off.
Dr. R. Quigg Lawrence is the Senior Pastor at Church of the Holy Spirit located at 6011 Merriman Road in Roanoke. Visit them on the web at www.coths.org
