A prayer to protect your heart against complaining by Emily Rose Massey, read by Lea Martin.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything, give thanks, for this is God's will

for you in Christ Jesus.

Christ Thessalonians 5, 16-18.

A friend of mine shared a graphic on social media the other day that stopped me in my tracks

and convicted my weary heart.

It was a brief but powerful list of reasons to be thankful when we're tempted to complain.

It said, early wake-ups equals children to be loved.

House to clean equals safe place to live, laundry equals clothes to wear, dishes to wash

equals food to eat, endless questions equals kids brains growing.

If I'm honest, I've not rejoiced in these blessings at all, I've complained and often,

so much so, I caught my six-year-old repeating phrases I've been saying as I grumbled with

bitterness throughout my day.

Right after I saw that post on social media, the Holy Spirit brought the scripture to my

mind that our pastor had just preached on Sunday earlier in the week.

It was from 1 Thessalonians 5.

The Apostle Paul exhorts the believers at Thessalonica with these commands.

Joyce always pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks.

For this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus, 1 Thessalonians 5 16 through 18.

I knew that the Bible talks consistently about the sin of complaining, but I didn't realize

how important it is for a believer to make joyful thanksgiving every moment of every day.

In fact, it's God's will for us to do this because we are in Christ, and in Christ,

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