Privileges

Most of the things in life that we enjoy are privileges. Not entitlements.

We often get confused over the difference. The confusion leads to a complaining spirit.

We get to worship freely, a privilege, but complain if the lines at church are long or the music is too loud. Yet Christians in other countries are persecuted for their faith.

We have jobs that provide, but grumble because the boss doesn’t provide a greater variety of K-cups in the break room.

Teenagers have iPhones with texting, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, yet gripe when the parents who are paying for this privilege monitor their usage. You have an iPhone! Get over it. Teenagers in Third World countries are scrapping for food each day while you’re updating your Facebook status to tell us what you had for your midday snack.

A guiding principal should be that we are always grateful for anything that can be taken away.

Gratitude is the cure for a complaining spirit, but it’s a habit that must be practiced. The first step is realizing that we are blessed to wake up in a dry house in a warm bed, able to take hot showers, put on clean clothes and have peanut butter in the pantry.

Anything above and beyond that is a privilege.