by Joanie Butman
Mardi Gras culminates this Tuesday. Commonly referred to as Fat Tuesday, it’s when some Lenten observers over-indulge in their vice of choice: sweets, carbs, fatty foods and/or alcohol before the Lenten season. Truth be told, I’ve been celebrating Fat January and Fat February as well, so Tuesday will just be more of the same. Come Wednesday though, my Lenten practice begins. So, what will I be cutting back on this year? It contains no calories but is more difficult to shed than the extra pounds I’ve gained over the winter. I’m going NoCo.
Going NoCo is a challenge put forth by Cianna Stewart, author of No Complaints: How to Stop Sabotaging Your Own Joy. There is no shortage of haters today who are eager to share what’s wrong – with everyone and everything. Social media gives them a platform to spew their negativity, which is why I avoid it. People are irritable and easily offended based on the number of horns and hand gestures I receive while driving. While I may not be able to change the culture, I can choose to stop contributing to it – including reciprocal hand gestures. Maybe our grandmother’s advice should be taken more seriously, “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” St. Paul preceded that counsel with 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.”
After learning about the The No Complaining Project,* I’ve decided to read and apply the strategies the author espouses during Lent and beyond. The Bible has a lot to say on this topic as well and encourages a grateful heart to combat our human tendency to grumble. Life is hard and there’s no shortage of things or people to complain about, but the Bible teaches us to “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thess. 5:18).”
I’ve never fully succeeded in any of my Lenten observances, so you may wonder why I still practice the ritual. You’d think it would be discouraging, but it’s actually an excellent reminder that I can’t do it on my own – not even the little things. If I could, Christ wouldn’t have had to suffer on my behalf. Do I wish I had better self-discipline? Of course, but despite my noble intentions, it's my failures that actually bring me into His presence better than any of my accomplishments because it reminds me that “His grace is sufficient for me, for His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).” The more I recognize my need for grace, the greater my understanding of its power and the greater my appreciation of the gift I celebrate on Easter and every day.
So, what will I do with all my complaints? Bring them to God of course. The Bible is full of people bringing their grievances to God. Read any of the psalms of lament, which typically start with complaints but end with praise. That’s because God can transform whatever we choose to offer Him, strengthening and encouraging any effort on our part. He doesn’t necessarily change our circumstances, but He always changes how we perceive and respond to them. This holds true every day, not just the 40 days of Lent.
*https://www.gonoco.com