From The Crucible (by Pastor Linda Pugsley)

We all know the "glass half empty" folks; the “nothing is good, life is gloomy” crowd! You could give them $1 million and they’d complain that the ones were wrinkled!

Caution – don't go there. Complaining can come from you, even if you love the Lord. When difficulties come your way, you can handle them, or you can start trusting God first to show you the way. A sad fact of handling things yourself is that it tends to open you to fall prey to negativism. The task is complicated or involves relational difficulties that suck you dry or financial or physical woes become unbearable; with these circumstances, only God Himself can "lift you up."

If you haven't noticed, complaining is contagious, both to you and those around you. Complaint follows complaint, follows complaint - it's a downward spiral, and you don't want to go down but up! Stop the insanity; cry out to Jesus, no matter how you feel or what the magnitude of your challenges. And, as crazy as it seems, dig deep and sincerely start thanking God when things worsen. You are not thanking God for the bad circumstances – good grief, no! You are throwing out a rescue line to the only one who knows what to do and who knows what all of your circumstances mean in His plan.

Much to our chagrin, God uses our pain, tears and discomforts, not to chasten us but to build us up, to "burn out," so to speak, the dross, the waste, the filth yet still in our hearts. So don't give up. Challenges often humble us down to the realization that God is greater and God loves us - more than we love Him!

In all things, trust Him, thank Him and enter into His immeasurable peace. God will either calm you or calm the storm – it's a win-win. Go for it. Read Luke 12:7 and Romans 10:13. Endure the fire – it's producing pure gold!

---