Whiney McWhinerson

So, I've been transferring over some of my old posts from Xanga. Right? Well, in doing so I've been reading back through all of them, and I have had a disturbing moment of self-realization.I am (or at least have been) a pretty major whiner.

I don't want this to continue to be the case. I have a great life. It's just ridiculous for me to be like that.

Or is it?

You see, I read a number of blogs by people my age and if I were to label the common thread running through all of them I'd have to say that word would be "whining." We're so discontent with whatever our current situation is that we can't shut up about it. We make all these vague, melodramatic statements about how things could be better or at least different but then how they're not and then what we might do about it and then how we won't actually do anything about it and then we whine some more that we never did anything at all.  I'm sure if we were to look for some research there's probably some out there about how cynical and disenfranchised Gen X is and why we behave in this manner.  But that shouldn't necessarily excuse it.

Sounds absurd, right? Well, if it doesn't, I think it should.

After all, Paul writes in Philippians 4:12-13: "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (emphasis mine).

Shouldn't I trust that God knows what He's doing, that if He's really leading me in life, if the Holy Spirit is fulfilling His role, if what Jesus said is true, that if I'm obedient, then I'm right where I'm supposed to be?

Who am I to whine about it when I don't like it for some reason?

Am I even whining about whining right now?

I know it will be a never-ending quest for me to try to overcome it, but feel free to call me out whenever it comes up, if you want.  So long as I can do the same to you.

Hmmmm?