If you know me very well, you know I’m a huge fan of twitter. One of the people I follow is First World Pains. First world pains are problems we complain about that anyone else in the world would be happy to have. Their tweets go like this:
“I am hungry but I don’t want to cook for myself. #firstworldpains”
“We are moving into a new house that doesn’t have a dishwasher. #firstworldpains”
“I ate too much and now my stomach hurts. #firstworldpains”
Last weekend, I started to realize just how much I complain and how stupid most of it is! These were some of my complaints last weekend.
“The fire ant bites on my feet won’t stop itching!!”
“It’s way too hot outside.”
“I’m so hungry right now, when are we going to eat?”
Normally, I wouldn’t have thought much of these complaints. But over the course of the weekend, God slowly reminded me that I am blessed! How many people who suffer from HIV or cancer would give anything to only have a handful fire ant bites on their feet? How many children in Africa are so hot but don’t have the option to go into the air conditioning to cool off or even clean water to quench their thirst? How many kids are literally starving in Zimbabwe and I’m complaining because I haven’t had lunch yet?
This was a smack in the face for me! I complain far too much about things other people would be praising God for. I’m so glad God is teaching me to be grateful for what I have.
What do you complain about that is a First World Pain? Next time, you feel like complaining about something like a first world pain, stop yourself and turn it into a pray of praise to God. We are so blessed. Let’s not take that for granted!
