Whiners are everywhere. You probably know a few. When life gives them lemons... they don’t make lemonade... they make excuses. Heads down, voices in permanent Eeyore mode... they wander through life wondering why everything is the way it is... and why they have to be the victim of it.
Whiners have been around for awhile...
[The Israelites led by Moses]
“If only the Lord had killed us back in Egypt,” they moaned. “There we sat around pots filled with meat and ate all the bread we wanted. But now you have brought us into this wilderness to starve us all to death.” - Exodus 16:3
[Martha complaining about her sister Mary when Jesus came to visit]
“As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.” Luke 10:38-40
They aren’t bad people... they just need a new perspective. And if we're not careful... we can easily become a whiner too.
What happens when we don’t set up boundaries on the influence of whiners? We become one. Whining people complain around us... and before we know it, phrases like “good point” or “I’ve never thought about it like that before” enter our vocabulary and we change... We start to say:
- “That white cloud doesn’t look so white... in fact... it’s light gray…”
- “You call it opportunity and blessing from God... I call it ‘luck’ and ‘right place at the right time.’”
- “Why me... What if... When... Who cares... “
If you find yourself being the one that people whine to, there’s a reason for it.
You listen.
People take their garbage to the dump... and we can’t allow them to bring it to us. A good way to protect yourself from whiners is to simply and politely ask them not to gossip or share any information with you if the point is simply to complain. You don’t need the stress and they don’t need the affirmation that the behavior is Godly.
Remember, nobody likes boundaries, but putting some up is necessary. If we aren’t careful, especially in the arena of whining, we can let people alter us and our view of the world. Life becomes a pity party... table for one... with us as the guest of honor.
Stay out of this pit. Keep your eyes focused on the God who overcomes... and make your way to the palace! I’ll be praying for you!
