Encouraging Enrique

I think we all know a curmudgeon or two...those people who are almost always marked by a critical or complaining spirit.  Mark and I like to jokingly ask one another if we are being a negative Nancy or an encouraging Enrique, on different occasions in our lives.

And I'll tell you what, things have been difficult lately, in large part due to my large part (my increasing girth).  Pregnancy is never super easy, and trying to homeschool three little ones while chasing down my arguably most active fourth, has proven to be an increasingly difficult task.  So, my attitude checks have been more frequent, as I have to assess and reassess my heart before it spirals out of control into whole-hog complaints that usually are born in thoughts that start with: I just...  A myriad of desires might complete the end of the statement.  I just want peace and quiet; I just need a break; I just feel like a nap; I just want to be alone; I just need some chocolate: I just want to sit for a minute; I just don't want to clean up after one more potty accident...etc.  The list is endless of things we could desire that are different.  But it is pretty astounding how the thoughts (or lies) that we buy, begin to really permeate our attitudes.  If you really finish the thought out to conclusion, you might be truly thinking, "I just want to do this or that, so that I can be at peace."  What a lie.  As a believer, I already have peace.  And whatever I am called to is not the source of my discontent, but it is my desires that are contrary to His desires that are (James 4:1 applied a little differently).

My critical spirit was starting to be vocalized and I didn't even like the general way I was talking to people.  I was being a Debbie downer.  What turned it around for me?  Behavior modification, baby!  Okay, seriously, though, it is amazing when you read the truth of Scripture, and you pray, confessing your sins, and you meditate during your day, that when you simply begin practicing what you know to be right, your heart begins to change direction.  When my kids are literally- I mean it in its intended form- LITERALLY hanging onto me, demanding my attention, I don't have to turn in harshness as a response to my idol of the moment (I just need some space).  By the strength of the victory that I have over sin because His Spirit is stronger in me than my flesh, I can absolutely fight the rising fury, and gently speak to my child.  So, that is what I am learning lately, I must walk victoriously, meaning that I am not a slave to sin anymore (hallelujah).  The Spirit has broken the power of sin in my life!  So I don't have to speak according to the mood of the moment, but rather according to the need of the moment.  I can be an encourager, even when I'm feeling the need to be encouraged.