Brits are notorious for complaining - a lot. In winter it's too cold and when the rare heatwave occurs in summer, it's too hot, and the rain? Don't get us started on the rain. Moaning may be an unofficial British pastime but it isn't one that's confined to the island's shores, it's become a common habit worldwide.
With the ability to connect directly with brands at the click of a button via social media, the culture of complaining has reached new heights. A brief look at any brand's social media page will reveal complaints from customers about everything from the quality of the goods or service they've received to the time and condition a purchase arrived in.
Christians aren't immune to succumbing to the complaint culture either. We can also find ourselves frequently moaning about everyday and spiritual aspects of our lives. And our complaining doesn't go unnoticed. According to data compiled by LifeWay Research, 43 per cent of Americans surveyed think Christians complain too much about their treatment.
A considered response to a situation that irritates is often more productive and satisfying. But how do we go about complaining less? Maybe asking yourself these three questions the next time you feel riled up about something will help you to moan less.
Is it worth it?
Seeking to complain less doesn't equate to caring less. There are a myriad of issues that are wholly deserving of our concern, but simply having a good rant is rarely the way to resolve anything. Despite the plight of people around the world, the issues that we regularly find ourselves moaning about are minor and in response to matters that we have the power to change or, at the very least, change the way we react to. Next time you find yourself in the middle of a moan, ask yourself if it's a worthy cause that you're highlighting.
What will complaining achieve?
Even if our urge to moan is completely justifiable, the act itself may not be. It's a lot more constructive to think about what are actions will achieve instead of immediately sounding off about something that doesn't sit right with us initially. Doing so will also encourage us to face up to the authentic emotions that are driving our desire to openly air our dissatisfaction. What will moaning on its own achieve? The answer to this question in almost every instance is likely to be - nothing positive. If the main factor in your desire to grumble about something is to make someone feel bad, then it's worth reconsidering your actions.
What's the solution?
Is there a suggestion you can make or an action that you can take to resolve the issue and prevent it from occurring in future? If so, prioritising this over voicing your displeasure about someone or something can be much more advantageous for both parties. Contemplating possible resolutions before launching into a rant will often avoid having to vent in the first place. Why there's no problem acknowledging that an issue exists, identifying it and acting to deal with it are two different things.
