Proverbs 21:23 (NIV)  23 He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.

 How often have you and a friend conversed about something wrong with a person or a situation?  I’m sure you said things like “I think they should do….”  “What is wrong with her?” “If that was me, I would have….” Or you just complained about or frivolously talked about a situation or a person for a long time. 

How many times have we told someone “This is what he/she/they need(s) to do”? We are all great at identifying problems and solutions for others, but how many of us care enough to try to do something about it? Or do we just enjoy complaining or gossiping? 

I would like to encourage you to either do something about it or shut up. Now, I know “shut up” is harsh, but we spend so much time discussing and complaining about ourselves, others and things and rarely do anything about it.  Now we, especially us ladies, are going to discuss things that happened at work, that we see, that we hear etc, but when it gets to the point to where we are complaining about the same thing over and over or for a long time and do nothing about it—this is when it can become a problem, not only for you, but for those around you.

 Have I been guilty of this? Most definitely! But, I have been trying my best to make sure,  if I have an issue with something to do something about it or Shut up if I can’t do anything about it. Now, do I do this each time? No. But a lot more often than a few years ago.

 An example for me:

I attended an event in the fall and during I was thinking “wow, this is not that great.” At the conclusion of the event, I told some colleagues “Wow, that was not good, what happened?” Others had the same feelings about the event and chose not to do anything. I thought, “I don’t want to just complain about something, I want to help” So I did. I contacted someone to join the planning committee to see if I could help in any way. You may think, “I can’t do that each time”. But each time, you don’t have to complain about it for an hour.

 Below is my problem solving outline

 Dr. G’s Problem solving Outline

1. What is the problem?
2. Do you know the solution?
   1. If your answer is YES, move to #3
   2. If your answer is NO— SHUT-UP
3. What is the solution?
   1. If you know the solution, move to #4
   2. If you don’t know the solution—SHUT-UP
4. Will you do something about it?
   1. If your answer is YES, move to #5
   2. If your answer is NO— SHUT-UP

      5. Then DO IT!                 

Examples of problems and solutions we discuss and at times do nothing, except for complain.

 Complain about our job…

What should we do? Either apply for others or speak with our supervisor

Complain about how hard school is

What should we do-talk to our teacher, study more, take less hours or reorganize our time

Complain about our boyfriend

What should we do? communicate with him,  b/c ladies men do not have ESP (will get into this in another blog)

Complain about the youth of today

What should we do? Volunteer to become a mentor, join a youth ministry

Complain about our weight

What should we do? Start working out, change our eating, cut out soda/ sugar, etc

Complain about a friend or family member who drinks too much

What should we do? Talk to them, encourage them, get them some help

 Today’s Nugget- Identify something you complain about or a problem you discuss often and do something about it. No REALLY Do something about it! You’ll be surprised at how much you might be able to help.

Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

Until next time…Empower someone and make someone smile or laugh 🙂