No Griping

[Sparkle Pony]

I'm listening to an audio book I got at the library. It's called A Complaint Free World: How to Stop Complaining and Start Enjoying the Life You Always Wanted. The author talks a lot about the negative effect complaining has on your health and your relationships. I agree, it's no fun to be around someone who always complains. But when he uses the term "griping," a trigger goes off in me. Back to the time of "do not question our authority. Griping will not ne tolerated." And the years I suppressed my unhappiness with a forced smile.

This author challenges people to stop complaining, all complaining.

http://www.acomplaintfreeworld.org/

What do you think? Now that you're fundy-free and can complain all you want, would you want to try to stop complaining?

[Tiarali]

It's just taken things from one extreme to another.

Of course if we're complaining about anything and everything in our lives, we will have no pleasure. That's not a good place to be in.

But when things are going wrong, there can be a sense of relief from being able to talk to somebody about our frustrations, and it may well be necessary to make constructive criticism if having it continue would cause further problems for others.

[lucrezaborgia]

Some people can't help but complain because they are at a point in their life where everything is shit. Been there, done that! It's very hurtful for people to tell you that all you need to do is stop being negative when your life is hell.

[pastor's wife]

I wrote a really long (typical for me! haha) response and then somehow can't find it. I must have forgotten to hit "submit", but then tiarali summed up what I was trying to say and did it much more concisely!

[exOBCstudent]

(07-23-2012 11:10 PM)pastors wife Wrote:  I wrote a really long (typical for me! haha) response and then somehow can't find it. I must have forgotten to hit "submit", but then tiarali summed up what I was trying to say and did it much more concisely!

Lol! I hate it when that happens.

I'd think that valid complaints have a purpose and expressing them can be beneficial. I think it's best to keep a healthy balance if possible though, as too much negativity can lead to depression and other things that won't really help you.

[Mominator]

(07-24-2012 07:29 AM)exOBCstudent Wrote:  

(07-23-2012 11:10 PM)pastors wife Wrote:  I wrote a really long (typical for me! haha) response and then somehow can't find it. I must have forgotten to hit "submit", but then tiarali summed up what I was trying to say and did it much more concisely!

Lol! I hate it when that happens.

I'd think that valid complaints have a purpose and expressing them can be beneficial. I think it's best to keep a healthy balance if possible though, as too much negativity can lead to depression and other things that won't really help you.

Maybe George has an evil twin that snatches our posts!?

It's like Psalm 139 says, he knows my thoughts already, I might as well express them. I feel better when I vent especially when I'm frustrated or overwhelmed.

[Historian]

There's a lot of griping on this thread...

[pastor's wife]

I think one of the things we must differentiate is when is griping griping and when is it a valuable insight, constructive criticism, or the necessary confrontation of sin that the Bible calls us to do?

Griping could be . . .
1. Refusing to see any good in our situation
2. Failing to be thankful for what we do have
3. Not taking steps to solve problems because it's easier to just TALK about it than take care of it

Griping is not ...
1. Pointing out a problem that others wish we'd just all pretend wasn't there.
2. Finally being honest about the people or circumstances in our lives that we usually tried to look at with rose-colored glasses.
3. Calling for justice or restitution or repentance

Many times people with valid criticisms have been silenced by accusations of bitterness and complaining.

[Historian]

(07-24-2012 01:02 PM)pastors wife Wrote:  I think one of the things we must differentiate is when is griping griping and when is it a valuable insight, constructive criticism, or the necessary confrontation of sin that the Bible calls us to do?

Griping could be . . .
1. Refusing to see any good in our situation
2. Failing to be thankful for what we do have
3. Not taking steps to solve problems because it's easier to just TALK about it than take care of it

Griping is not ...
1. Pointing out a problem that others wish we'd just all pretend wasn't there.
2. Finally being honest about the people or circumstances in our lives that we usually tried to look at with rose-colored glasses.
3. Calling for justice or restitution or repentance

Many times people with valid criticisms have been silenced by accusations of bitterness and complaining.

I'm going to send this to BJU and suggest they post it on the back of their dorm room doors.

[Sparkle Pony]

(07-25-2012 08:31 AM)Historian Wrote:  

(07-24-2012 01:02 PM)pastors wife Wrote:  I think one of the things we must differentiate is when is griping griping and when is it a valuable insight, constructive criticism, or the necessary confrontation of sin that the Bible calls us to do?

Griping could be . . .
1. Refusing to see any good in our situation
2. Failing to be thankful for what we do have
3. Not taking steps to solve problems because it's easier to just TALK about it than take care of it

Griping is not ...
1. Pointing out a problem that others wish we'd just all pretend wasn't there.
2. Finally being honest about the people or circumstances in our lives that we usually tried to look at with rose-colored glasses.
3. Calling for justice or restitution or repentance

Many times people with valid criticisms have been silenced by accusations of bitterness and complaining.

I'm going to send this to BJU and suggest they post it on the back of their dorm room doors.

I agree! this is great PW.