Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.  James 5:9

When someone ambushes us with a bad mood for no apparent reason, we say, “He must have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” And if we’re honest with ourselves, we all experience days like that.  The common stressors and tensions of daily living can really wear on our emotions. And the evil one can sense it when we’ve been weakened by the trials of life. Once our bad attitude begins, Satan works hard at drawing us even further into our despair and uses our grumbling to bring others down with us.  But God knows Satan’s tactics and He warns us to be careful and not grumble against one another, or we will be judged.  As you go through life, don’t allow Satan to use your mood to push others away from Christ. If you wake up on the wrong side of the bed, choose to make things right. Don’t let your mood dictate your actions. Instead of grumbling, be thankful you have been given another day to show others the love of Jesus Christ.

Dear God, There are days when I use the excuse of a bad mood to wallow in my grumbling. I know that when I do this, I bring others down with me. Help me to replace my grumbling with a thankful heart so that I can instead reflect the love of Jesus Christ. In Your Son’s name I pray, Amen.