Don't Be A Negative Nellie! Philippians 2:12-30

"Do everything without complaining or arguing..."--WOW! What a statement. In our world there is enough of complaining and arguing going around to affect all of us! It is often so hard to be around people who never seem to be content with anything! People who always have the need to be "right" and are not willing to listen to both sides of a situation. People who are never satisfied. People who always have to "one up" you in what you have experienced or are thinking about.

But what is the Apostle Paul saying to us? We are to be content and to be careful about the attitudes we carry and express to others. The words we speak not only to ourselves but to others is so important. In another place it is written "do not let any unwholesome talk come our of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29)

Why is this so important? The answer to that is because others are listening and watching your life. Ask yourself: Do the words that come out of my mouth reveal where my trust lies? Is my trust in the things of the world or in God? Am I trusting the Lord to meet the needs of my heart and life or am I discontent in many things? Paul writes further in Philippians 4:11-13, and I will close with these words: "I am not saying this because I am in need, for I HAVE LEARNED TO BE CONTENT WHATEVER THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I HAVE LEARNED the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I CAN DO ALL THINGS THROUGH HIM WHO STRENGTHENS ME!"