Whenever there is a gap between the way things are and the way I think they should be I'm as inclined to complain or worry as anyone.
But I'm learning...
Worrying just makes you tired... and complaining makes you gloomy...
And who wants to be around that?
So I've been working on an alternative.
It's called praying!
There is nothing novel about this, of course.
In fact... the Psalms teach us this is the way we're supposed to approach situations that concern us...
... we're to cry out to God about them.
So... if you're stressed by the unbelief so prevalent in our culture you might pray something like this:
"Help, LORD, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race" (Ps.12:1).
Or... if you are burdened by your own personal situation you might reach out to God praying:
"Do not be far from me, my God; come quickly, God, to help me" (Ps.71:12).
Taking this approach with your concerns can really be eye-opening.
Because when we worry and complain our thoughts are ultimately on ourselves...
... our fears, our doubts, our game plan, etc...
... and this blinds to what God might be doing around us... and in our lives.
But when we pray... it opens our eyes to see God is working things out differently than the way we'd do it...
.... and He is inviting us to participate in His story in a way other than we envisioned.
"I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you..." (Eph.1:18).