Grumbling to Grateful
Right now it seems every day’s news has some story about high school or college seniors who are lamenting the “loss” of some senior or graduation ritual. At the same time, people are suffering from “quarantine fatigue,” and grumbling about the continuing restrictions on our movements and activities. How can you remain grateful?
May I offer a couple of ideas for thought.
First, as a potential future employer, I am very unlikely to care whether you actually “walked” for your diploma. I probably won’t even care if you got to go to prom, or senior trip, or….
What I am likely to be interested in is how you handled it. Did you sit back and complain, or did you come up with some way to redeem your time and your situation? Did you make life miserable for those around you, or did you, oh, just for instance, mow an elderly neighbor’s lawn? Do grocery runs for disabled neighbors? Volunteer for some charity (following social distancing guidelines, of course)? Did you help out around the house? Did you watch younger siblings so mom could have a few minutes to herself?
Or how about using this time to learn some “life skills,” such as setting up a budget, handling personal finances, shopping to a budget, cooking, doing your laundry. I’m sure mom would appreciate that!
That kind of attitude will tell me a lot about the type of employee you are likely to be.
And if you already have a job, are you showing up for work? If you’re working from home, are you getting the job done, or you are just skating by with a minimal amount of work?
Second, as believers, we have clear directions in Scripture as to how we should handle disappointments. For example:
Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of god without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…. (Phil. 2:14-15)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know to God. (Phil. 4:6)
And what happens if you give your disappointments and worried to God? He promises: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:7).
What can you do today to change your attitude from “grumbling” to “grateful”?
