All of us have had the experience of being around griping and grumbling people. The Bible often reminds us of God’s disdain for grumbling and murmuring. “Jesus, therefore answered and said unto them, murmur not among yourselves,” (John 6:43).
J.G. Ferguson in his book, “The Joy of Words,” did a satire called, The Grouch. Let this warn us about choosing to be grouchy.
“My dear fellow grumblers: Poets, philosophers and fools, in all ages, have been writing and preaching on the art of being happy. But it seems many can’t be satisfied or happy unless they are miserable in body and mind. I am therefore going to show all such persons the several means to be used for the attainment of such a desirable end.
In the first place, my beloved whiners, in order to attain an end of misery, you must get a stiff resolution and determination to conquer. Yes, my readers, you must set down your foot, grit your teeth, let your resolution be as stiff as boilerplates, let your firmness be as unwavering as the Rock of Gibraltor. Be determined to be miserable and you shall get your desires. Never mind what people tell you about the bounties of providence and the beauties of God’s creation, the balmy breezes of spring, the lovely twittering of birds — you must sheer off from them like a wealthy upstart from a poor relative.
Put on a sour, savage, snapping turtle physiognomy; look daggers and act out your hurt feelings; this is the first great commandment of misery. Think you are the most forsaken mortal that misery every held a mortgage on. Hate mankind; call them all liars, cheats, swindlers, and villains. Look at everything from the wrong side. If it has no dark side, make one, just so as to enjoy yourself looking at it. Take it for granted that everyone is especially out to torment your. Fight everyone and everything. You can’t miss when the world is all wrong. Everyone is a villain but yourself, and it is your duty to teach mankind manners. Go at them. You can’t fail to be miserable.
What a miserable way to live. Could I remind you of a wonderful verse in our Bible, “The joy of the Lord is our strength.” Decide today to live in this context. “This is the day the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it,” (Psalm 118:24). This day is a precious gift from God with new mercy, new grace and new opportunities. Don’t miss out on it!
Dr. David Bouler of Global Faith Ministries, Chattanooga, Tennessee, contributed this column to the Journal Review. He can be reached by email at debouler@aol.com.
