Words of Hope: The Ugly Truth About Complaining
I find the research on complaining so powerful. Complaining or listening to complaining for thirty minutes impairs and diminishes the intellectual part of the brain. We actually lose intellect when we complain or listen to it.
This dovetails in my mind with the danger of the four highly toxic emotions: envy, bitterness, regret, and depression.
What do we do with our experiences that cause us to feel great pain? We know that bottling up these emotions harms us. How do we process experiences that are painful without falling into complaint or becoming further rooted in the toxic four?
I believe the answer is one of the most compelling reasons why Christianity is so transformative. Through a redemptive recognition, we come to understand that our most difficult troubles and challenges can be, by God‘s miraculous work, healed and restored.
Our most challenging, painful, and difficult stories can be told and experienced as both truthful and hopeful. We can be sorrowful and joyful. We can be deeply honest and grateful.
This is the power of the gospel; this is the good news!
Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky. – Philippians 2:14-15
