Whine Wednesday or Wise Wednesday?

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“I have learned that in every circumstance that comes my way, I can choose to respond in one of two ways: I can whine or I can worship,” says Nancy DeMoss Wolgemuth. “And, I can’t worship without giving thanks. It just isn’t possible. When we choose the pathway of worship and giving thanks, especially in the midst of difficult circumstances, there is a fragrance, a radiance, that issues forth out of our lives to bless the Lord and others,” she adds. Really? Yes.

Whether it’s a relationship gone wrong due to expectations, being in the crossroad of office gossip, or job loss on top of financial stress, how we respond to our current season is our personal choice. 

But, how can we worship when we’re dealing with an inundated amount of stress?

During difficulty we crave peace, and we’ve even heard of others praying for peace as they face trials. But, have you stopped for a moment to think of the depth of this word and its agenda? Peace. The opposite of peace is war. Officially we’re probably not “at war” with our circumstance or the people involved in the circumstance. However, we could be at war with God, the One who has allowed “the” circumstance to invade and penetrate our souls. But why? Why would this wonderful God, who created all, allow “bad things” to happen to… you, to me? Why would we, how could we “possibly” be at war with Him?

Let’s dig. These seasons, that bring bad, that carry ill-feelings and unsettling back-and-forth conversations with offenders could be instruments to sanctify you, to sanctify me—to mold and conform our souls to the image of Jesus Christ. Another link to this equation could be the call toward obedience that is needed to be “at peace” with God; to experience “peace that surpasses all understanding.”

What’s the strategy? Choose to be small and make God bigger. Choose to worship and not whine. Choose to forgive despite being wronged. Wolgemuth and Tim Grissom teach, “Be careful not to blame them [offenders] for your wrong attitude or responses. God does not hold us responsible for the wrongs others have done to us; He only holds us responsible for how we respond to what others do to us.”

Lastly, choose to deny yourself as the main character of your life story. Don’t demand. Don’t expect. Mary A Kassian says, “Over-indulgence blinds us to the truth, turning us inward, making us slaves to our own insatiable desires.” Wisdom indeed. I would like to add the following: Over-indulgence in self blinds us to the truth and Truth, turning us inward, making us slaves to our own insatiable desires.”

So, what’s your choice? Whine or worship? Peace or war? You or God?

Photo by Keem Ibarra

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Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Editor-in-Chief at Chispa Magazine
Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.
Mavian Arocha-Rowe

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Mavian Arocha-Rowe

Mavian Arocha-Rowe is known as an asset to the business and communications industry and is motivating and advocating “your authenticity should be your strategy,” for all women, regardless of their season and roles. For the past 20 years she has directed magazines, plus multiple art and marketing departments as creative director and brand manager. What supersedes all of her great career moves is her role as wife and mother living in Atlanta. Challenging herself to discover and bravely pursue the calling for her life, Arocha-Rowe helps other women discover and pursue their life’s assignment. She is a passionate, and loud-laughing speaker on the topic of purposefully redeemed, and mentors young women so they can exercise a mind that is doctrinally pure, along with a heart that beats toward sanctification. She will almost never turn down Marlow’s Tavern double-tavern cheeseburger, a cooking-demonstration from Leaning Ladder, or any opportunity to head to Miami to spend time with family.