Mark 8:15-16And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out—beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.” They said to one another, “It is because we have no bread.”
Dear members and friends,
Human life is complex and diverse. However, with certain exceptions, we might be able to simplify the basic moods in life in two big categories: being positive (or optimistic) or being negative (or pessimistic). Interestingly, I have observed that people do not become negative simply because they endure much suffering in their lives nor do people become positive because they are blessed with talents and gifts. Rather, being positive or being negative seems to be the result of one’s daily habits and choices. In other words, people who constantly focus on negative aspects of their lives tend to be negative, while people who persistently focus on positive aspects of their lives stay positive. The undeniable fact is that all human lives are a mixture of positive and negative events.
In my understanding, one of the major causes of negativity is the act of complaining. The English word “complain” is defined as “expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.” The problem with complaining is that “expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance about something” would neither improve the current situation nor resolve the present challenge. However, when we look into the origin of the word complain, we find an interesting aspect. Complain is from the Latin word complangere which is com- (expressing intensive force) plus -plangere (to lament). Thus, complaining in the traditional context might have meant expressing lamentation intensely. There is a big difference between expressing dissatisfaction, which often causes negative energy in the mind, and expressing lamentation, which often causes relief of negative energy. As time changes everything, it seems that the use and meaning of the word changed over time.
My brothers and sisters in God, let us take a moment this week and enter a deep prayer. Let us look into our own minds and see which one is more dominating: being positive or being negative. Let us lift ourselves up to God, and humbly ask to place our complaints on to God and be free.
Blessings, Rev. Junchol Lee