Check Your Grumbling
Mary Wilder Tileston encourages listeners to practice self-control by checking grumbling and cultivating a calm external habit.
Mary Wilder Tileston emphasizes the importance of self-control and avoiding grumbling and unnecessary vexation at petty inconveniences. She highlights the value of maintaining a calm external demeanor, especially for those who are naturally quick and impetuous, as a means to cultivate an inward even spirit. Tileston warns against a life filled with complaints, likening it to a lingering death.
Text
Do all things without murmurings and disputings!
PHILIPPIANS 2:14
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.
PROVERBS 25:28
BEHOLD, the paths of life are ours,--we see
Our blest inheritance where'er we tread;
Sorrow and danger our security,
And disappointment lifting up our head.
ANNA L. WARING
ONE valuable way of practising self-control is in checking grumbling, and an unnecessary display of vexation at petty inconveniences. A workman has fulfilled his task imperfectly, some order is wrongly executed, some one keeps you waiting unreasonably; people are careless or forgetful, or do what they have in hand badly. Try not to be disturbed; be just, and show the persons to blame where they are wrong, even (if it be needful) make them do the thing over again properly; but refrain from diffuse or vehement expressions of displeasure. A naturally quick, impet-uous person will find that to cultivate a calm external habit is a great help towards gaining the inward even spirit he needs.
H. L. SIDNEY LEAR
A repining life is a lingering death.
BENJAMIN WHICHCOTE
Sermon Outline
- The Dangers of Grumbling
- The Benefits of Self-Control
- Practicing Self-Control
- Checking grumbling and vexation
- Cultivating a calm external habit
Key Quotes
“Do all things without murmurings and disputings!” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“A repining life is a lingering death.” — Mary Wilder Tileston
“BEHOLD, the paths of life are ours,--we see Our blest inheritance where'er we tread;” — Mary Wilder Tileston
Application Points
- Practice self-control by checking grumbling and refraining from expressing displeasure in a diffuse or vehement manner.
- Cultivate a calm external habit to help gain an inward even spirit.
- Remember that a repining life is a lingering death, and strive to navigate life's challenges with self-control.