April 27, 2011
|
How to leave the grumpy life behind
From the Pulpit In addition to its enormous size, another unusual trait of the piraiba is that it growls, like a wild animal. Do you know any people who sound like they are growling when they talk? They seldom speak a kind, uplifting, or encouraging remark. People like this are just plain old grumpy. Are you grouchy? Have the pressures and difficulties in your life taken away your joyful, positive attitude? Did you wake up feeling irritable today, and you excused your negativity by saying, “I got up on the wrong side of the bed?” Regardless of whether it's hormones, sleep deprivation, problems, or just a bad mood, you still have to make it through the day. So what can you do to overcome the “grumpies”? Be honest about the harm grumpiness does to you. An Australian psychologist says grumpy people think more clearly, make better decisions, and are less gullible. Don't believe a word of that. Grouchiness gives you a negative outlook, steals your joy, and makes you the kind of person no one wants to be with. Ask God to reveal what's really bothering you. When you gain insight into the challenges that are making you feel grumpy, you can start taking steps to solve those problems, or at least deal more effectively with them. Take more risks, or at least do some things out of your routine. When you stretch yourself by stepping out of your comfort zone you feel more adventurous and alive. Make compassion your right hand friend. Compassion allows you to feel what others are going through and enables you to empathize with people less fortunate than you. Don't you find that reaching out to a hurting person has the benefit of making you feel better? Become a list maker. I love to make lists because writing down things helps organize your thoughts and priorities. Making a list usually helps me see some options I have for solving a problem that has me down. Exercise more. At my age, and with the physical challenges I face, walking is my exercise of choice. Exercise is a wonderful stress reliever. As I walk I can pray about, and think through, the issues that make me feel negative or irritable. Fight and resist when a crabby mood gets hold of you. This step is the opposite of nursing or feeding your bad mood. Don't be too hard on yourself for being in a bad mood. Everybody is from time to time. But don't stay in a bad mood. Make the choice to think more positively and to change your feelings. Get the sleep you need. CNN news reported recently that sleep problems are reaching epidemic proportions, and fast becoming a major health problem in America. Almost all adults don't get enough sleep and most struggle to get up in the morning. Give your worries and anxieties to God. How often are you in a bad mood simply because you are deeply concerned or anxious about something? I love the Bible verse 1 Peter 5:7: “Cast all your anxiety upon him because he cares for you.” Pray about the things that bother you and make you grouch. Gary Hardin is pastor of Enon Grove Baptist Church in Cedar Bluff. He and his wife, Linda, live in Centre. Comments can be sent to: garyhardin@tds.net.
|