Where I live, the ground is frozen for 9 months out of the year, everywhere you look you will see white and everyone wears Ugg boots year round (regardless of the outfit...we make it work). Living in such a cold and tundra-like environment for a few years, it is plausible that some people may become used to the slap-in-the-face wintery air and the inability to walk normally on pavement without sliding around a bit (or wiping out). The truth is, however, most of us complain about it just as much as those who visit...none of us like the weather and it's always at the forefront of new conversation. Usually in the form of a complaint.
I'm so guilty of this...I'll be straight up honest - I hate the weather here and I'm sure I encourage others to join in on my rants when I start raving. It seems like every time I complain though, there is a check in my spirit...a still, small Voice saying -
quit complaining...just shut your mouth.
Why though? I
really do hate this weather! ... Well, here's why...
Galatians gives us a list of all of the characteristics (fruit) that others should be able to identify when they interact with us or simply observe our behavior...Do we operate in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?
Tell me...when we are complaining about something (the weather)/someone or judging other people - which of the above "fruits" are we cultivating? Any?
There are plenty of verses that tell us to shut our mouth...They speak against grumbling (
Phil 2:14-15,
1 Peter 4:9) and judging others (
Matt 7:1-2,
Prov 3:30,
James 5:9). We must have control over our tongue (
Prov 13:3,
Prov 21:23,
Matt 12:36,
1 Peter 3:10) at all times.
Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. - Ephesians 4:29
Father, shut our mouths for us when we're too stubborn to do it ourselves...even in what seems like -68 degree weather.