The Big Take-Aways:
I need a big adjustment when it comes to my attitudes toward God and my attitudes toward others. Actually, I’m thinking most specifically about adjusting my attitude toward God. My attitude toward Him is where my attitudes toward others come from. The main thing is that I need to be thankful to God for all the wonderful things He is and that He has done *no*matter*the*present*circumstances*.
My week-long not-complaining experiment (based on 2:14-15) was challenging. I had to look at my experiences in a different light - more from God’s perspective (what little I can see of it from down here!) ...to see what God has done and is doing. And thank Him for that. It helped me see others with a more sympathetic view - looking at what might be difficult or unknown for them rather than just being annoyed they didn’t do things the way I *expected.* Paul expresses sympathy, not judgment, in this book (3:18). Paul has an attitude of joy, and this is the attitude I need to cultivate.
(Sidenote: there is still a question in my mind about what is the difference between “complaining” and “objective state of being” e.g. “My foot hurts.” Complaint? Valuable description? Don’t know. Context might determine the answer.)
The other conviction I have is that I need to pray more faithfully. With thanksgiving. For others. Paul is mentioning prayers and thanksgiving all over the place in this book. I am weak in prayer. There is a new week-long experiment going in which I am reorganizing a little thing in my life to put prayer time higher up on the list. I need a more vital connection with God.
