30 Days Without Complaint 48 hours: Be a Light in the World

As I prepare to undertake this transformative challenge again this year, I am revisiting what I learned only 48 hours into 30 days without complaint the very first year – learning to be a light in the world.

First, since I’ve started this challenge, I’ve found that God has continually blessed me with ample opportunities to practice.

Not complaining may be a bit like praying for patience. Once I ask, I get lots of chances to practice.

Because I genuinely care about people, I am generally very friendly. But my heart is fed by lots of quiet time, so busy days can be very stressful for me.

You might think I would have planned this better, but nope, Day 1 of my very first no complaining challenge, I had an extremely busy schedule.

Planning to quit complaining is like praying for patience - lots of chances to practice. Click To Tweet

Simply getting out the door for Bible study without any complaining (at least on my part) was going to be my first real challenge. Somehow, I managed, but it was definitely a test of my resolve not to complain!

30 Days Without Complaint – Learning to be the light of the world!

The next part of my day back in 2014 was pretty amazing. We met up with Mike Viti, from Mike’s Hiking for Heroes, who was walking across America. And, he walked over 7,100 kilometers, each was designated by name for every service member who was killed in action during the Global War On Terror.

When I asked him why he walks, he said, that his goal was to be not just one voice, but one person doing something to raise awareness of the sacrifice of our nation’s heroes and their families.

Having followed his journey for months, I was so excited to join him; nothing was going to dissuade me. Yet, having had hip replacement in January with a string of complications and injuries, this was going to be my longest walk in a year.

Going without complaint is harder when life gets tough.

My friends and I walked on a busy highway with three children in strollers.  So, I got a really good workout while we talked and hiked almost 4k (one for each of my husband’s Iraq tours) with this very dedicated American.

By the end of a very full day, I had pushed my body pretty hard considering my recent occupation of perpetual patient. I smiled and took an Aleve, joyfully using my microwave-able heating pad, and didn’t utter a single complaint.

While my husband could see I was sore, but instead of grumbling, complaining about the aches, I smiled. I could almost see him relax, ease into the story of his day, not having apprehension about my needs.

Which brings me to my next observation.

This challenge seemed pretty straight forward when I devised it, but the intricacies are continuing to blossom in my heart.

The first part of what I have learned is that carefully crafting my words from, “I’m hungry” to “I would like to eat now,” seems like just a lesson in semantics, but choosing positive words is part of being the light in a dark world.

#30DaysWithoutComplaint challenge is one of the most transformative I've undertaken. Join me! Click To Tweet

Philippians 2:14-15 ESV “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,”

Because carefully crafting every sentence isn’t superficial. If word choice changes the way people perceive a product, don’t the words I use change the way people perceive me, my attitude, or even the way I perceive my world?

After just two days, I already could see how much my words affect not only my heart, but the hearts of those around me.

And the past few days have felt lighter, more joyful. My attempts to guard my mouth from complaining also guard the hearts of those who would hear those complaints. My husband and daughter are already responding to the light in me.

I can already feel myself giving more thought to the words tumbling out of my mouth. Spending more time thinking about my words changes my heart for others, slowing down to listen and love. Truly, God is already blessing me in this challenge after only 48 hours.

So, if you’ve taken the #30DaysWithoutComplaint challenge, I hope you’re seeing the fruits of change in your life as well.