Which are you: Complainer or Encourager?

While we shouldn’t categorize people, sometimes I do.

Mark Batterson does too. He uses two categories in his book In a Pit with a Lion: 
     Complainers and Worshipers.

For horizontal relationships, I recategorize as Complainers and Encouragers.

I notice the difference most when I need encouragement myself. In those times I’m often surprised at who excels at giving encouragement.
And who doesn’t. 

When I’m in times of stress, I want to hang around those who give positive, spiritual encouragement. And avoid those who bring me down lower. Each type can make a difference.

Which category fits you: complainer or encourager?

I’m both. I don’t want to be a complainer, but I know sometimes I am. It’s ugly. A bitter edge is never attractive.

So I fight against complaining by focusing on contentment.
Christ promised to provide all I need.

And strive to be encouraging by showing grace to others.
I’ve been blessed with more than my fair share of grace already.

I want to slide more into the encouraging category and leave the complaining category behind. You, too?

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revised from the archives