Do you want some cheese with that whine?

I have been talking to a young man who is experiencing some trials in his life. To him it seems like the end of the world, but the reality is that in time he will get through these bad times and before he knows it his troubles will be a distant memory. He made some serious mistakes and the consequences of his poor judgment are not a desirable thing for anyone to go through, but we all make mistakes and we must pay for them.

What drives me up the wall about this young man is his incessant whining about it. Jeez, lighten up already. Take your medicine and act like a man about itFor crying out loud, no-one wants to go through hardship, but it is a necessary ingredient of life and the Bible tells us so. In fact the Bible tells us that we should be “glad” when we undergo trials and tribulations because it gives us patience and perseverance. Worrying about it, whining about it, and crying to anyone who cares to listen will not shorten it, nor will it ever solve a single problem. We should try to spend our time constructively working on a plan to work our way out of any mess we create for ourselves and don’t waste time feeling sorry for ourselves. Some people seem to want to conduct the world’s largest pity party for themselves and they even want a cake.

I suppose the most frustrating thing about this guy is that he does not seem to have learned much from his mistakes. In fact he seems determined to do the same things that got him where he is now and about all he talks about really is doing the thing that got him in trouble in the first place yet again. I see this all of the time. Do you know anyone who still drinks and drives on occasion even after they got a DUI? That is a prime example. Or perhaps someone gambles away their rent money and then the following week gambles away their next check. It seems that one would learn from a mistake. It is human to make mistakes and when we do make one, it should be considered an honest mistake, but when we make that same mistake again, it is a stupid mistake.

There will be a consequence to making a mistake. As we pay for our mistakes we should keep a positive attitude, eliminate self-pity and persevere through the consequence/punishment and patiently wait for it to end. After all is said and done we will be stronger, wiser, and far more ready for the next battle of life. We can eliminate that mistake and never make the same one twice and guess what? We have improved! I guess it is all a part of God’s plan to build our character. Someone has said if you want the rainbow, you have to put up with the rain. So get an umbrella and quit whiningRemember it states in Ephesians that we can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens us and the Bible assures us that “this too, shall pass”…

James1:12
Blessed is the man who perseveres under
trial, because when he has stood the test, he
will receive the crown of life that God has
promised to those who love Him.