Lest the reader think this writer to be meddling, consider the record with references to whining. The fifth book of Moses speaks by inspiration unto all Israel; "And ye murmured in your tents, and said, because the Lord hated us, he hath brought us out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us. Whither shall we go up? Our brethren have discouraged our head, saying, the people is greater and taller than we..." (Deuteronomy 1:27-28).

In the New Testament the laborers whined about the wages received by the laborer hired in the eleventh hour. "And when they had received it [a penny], they murmured against the Goodman of the house, saying, these last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day" (Matthew 20:11-12). And in Bethany, "there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of ointment made?" (Mark 14:4).

Whining is whining whether five thousand years ago or five minutes ago. May I suggest that you enter into your private place and contemplate why God decided to 'single you out to be the recipient of all the bad fortune, inferior physical appearance, marginal family situation, and gloomy prospects for anything good in the future? The truth is, all of your friends with inferior looks and talent and worse circumstances have learned an extremely important secret. They have discovered that those who whine usually talk about themselves and their problems ninety-five percent of the time. They have discovered that whiners almost never ask about others and how they may help.

When you finish this article, attempt this experiment for the next seven days. Each time you are tempted to do what you normally do and whine, do something for someone else!

Those who have hardships and daily problems, and yet continue to maintain a positive Christian attitude, are edifying to be around. Whining is a luxury for which you pay a large premium. How would you like to be on the receiving end of your murmurings day after day? By transferring your emotional overload to another it then becomes part of the load that they have to carry.

This does not mean that you are to go around with a plastic, sprayed-on smile, not acknowledging reality, but it does convey the idea that with a determined, enthusiastic outlook, you will be the Christian around whom people enjoy being. And, if they enjoy being in your company, you have the chance to study with them, and to comfort hurting brethren, and to accomplish things that you could never do if you sentence yourself to a spiritual death by whining.