Earlier today, I wrote a keeping-it-real post. And no, I didn't publish it, so you didn't miss anything. As I wrote more of my post, the more it sounded to me like complaining. And I don't know about you, but I was raised believing that complaining is a sin. And that if a person complained, they shouldn't be too surprised if God took stuff away from them as a result.
I don't really want to get into the theological aspect of that, because that all leads to a big deep discussion about good and evil. And I for one am not cut out to have that conversation. But I do think that complaining is wrong. And I do believe that the Bible instructs us to not complain.
Yet it's unrealistic to go through life with everything a-ok. I don't think that Christians are to be some type of Stepford people. Denying real problems and frustrations is only going to make matters worse in the long run.
So - I have a question - in this day and age of keeping things real and being honest, what do YOU think is the line (if any) that divides acknowleding that life isn't perfect, and complaining?
I feel that if you keep going on and on about poor you and take on the role of professional victim, it's a sin. If, however, you share because it makes this life easier to get through if you are aware of others who have the same or similar struggles and you share your ideas for getting out of your funk or share the lessons you are learning for your funk then it's almost a sin not to share. Acknowledge that you know that there are others out there as bad off or worse than you are. And know that all things will pass. And it's all good.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's what I think.
I think your words are a great definition. Acknowledging that life is hard and not great all the time is fine. Stating facts and even admitting that you are having a hard time with what you are going through is fine. But complaining, whining, resentfulness is wrong.
ReplyDeleteSuch a fine line.... I struggle with the same thing.
ReplyDeleteFor me writing helps me process whatever is going on in my head & heart.
I want to be transparent and real but would hate to come off as complaining all the time.
Life is not always easy and I think that if we reflect what is really going on in our lives without going overboard in the "woe is me" it's healthy.
We need to be real. For ourselves and for others :)