Desires of the Heart

How did your morning start? Mine began with a woodpecker tearing up my porch and cat poop everywhere. A damaged porch and sick cats were not the pleasant greetings I expected. However, I ran off the bird, planned to spray the porches, and began intensive cleaning inside the house. In my heart, I commenced to grumble. But God stepped in and opened my eyes. As I cleaned I felt thankful to have cleaning supplies to clean the home I am so blessed to have. My girls jumped in and helped tackle the task at hand. In that moment I thanked God for their servant hearts. I called my dad to talk about the porch and he provided the advice and material I needed. Again God’s showers of blessings were made evident to my heart. Our perspective makes all the difference! My potential view of a disastrous morning could have set a negative tone for the rest of my day. But God!

If you are like me, you have found yourself in this same state of grumbling. It is easy to slip into a negative, discontented attitude.

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world by holding on to the word of life so that on the day of Christ I will have a reason to boast that I did not run in vain nor labor in vain. Philippians 2:14-16

Paul encourages believers to do everything without grumbling so that we shine as a light into the world.

Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17

James reminds us of the good and perfect gifts from our Father in Heaven. We often need this reminder to not fall into the grumbling habit. If you find yourself in a downcast frame of mind look to God, our true source of joy!

There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God! Psalm 43:4

You might be pleasantly surprised that when you turn from grumbling and praise Him, you will be filled with His joy! I encourage you to take a few moments each day to sit in His presence and reflect on Who He is, What He has done for you, and What blessings He continues to bestow. Let God change your heart’s perspective.