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I’m one of the whiniest people I know. I keep struggling with the same problem at work, feeling angry and outraged because the people around me only care about themselves. They only do what they have to do to get by and get paid which means I have to take up the slack for their minimal standard of “what do I need to do to make ‘my’ day go smoothly?” I’m tired of it. I’m tired of being called in an hour early because the other call person just doesn’t feel like doing his job. I cry out to God with self righteous cries of “why do I have to do this?” Funny thing is, I hate that I am so whiney and can’t stand to be around myself when I am complaining, so how can God, the maker of heaven and earth, stand me, let alone love me? After all my whining and complaining, one thing remains clear - I can’t change the way any other people behave, only the way I react to their behavior and despite all my anger, I will forgive them and love them anyway. God answered my crying and whining at church when the pastor said three times, “the next time you’re having a bad day, remember how much God loves you. He loves you so much He died for you!” And He answered “why can’t I just quit?” through two of my friends who said, “don’t quit, it’s just 8 more weeks, God will give you the strength to hold on.”

I was reading “God’s promises for you” by Max Lucado: And after you suffer for a short time, God, who gives all grace, will make everything right. He will make you strong and support you and keep you from falling. He called you to share in His glory in Christ, a glory that will continue forever. 1 Peter 5:10 (NCV)

And as I write this, I had a revelation - if I can’t deal with these minor annoyances and “injustices”, how will I ever deal with the big stuff? So now, I wish I could say because of this I will never whine again, but I know better. I know how I am. But I hope and pray I will become less whiney than I was before I knew this and I thank God He loves me anyway.