I once read a book that stated that the average person complains about 80 times per day. That was hard for me to believe, so I decided the next morning I would start tracking my grumblings.  About half an hour into my experiment, I already had 4 complaints. They were silly and senseless little mutterings such as, “What a miserable day” all because the sun was not shining. I even caught myself complaining about my legs being too long because my knees hit under the desk at work. I couldn’t believe the pettiness of my murmurings and I realized that 80 complaints a day, was probably correct. At that point, I stopped my experiment and the typical life of complaining carried on. Nothing changed except now I was more aware that others complain all the time. 

About a year and a half later I went to church and they showed a video clip of a man getting a box in the mail containing what looked like a dog collar. It was the kind of choker you would put on a pet to train them to stay within an electric fenced area. The choker was called the Complaint Zapper. The man took the collar out of the box and placed it around his neck. He then walked outside and complained about the weather. I cracked up because that was me and many other people I know. The video brought the problem of complaining once again to my attention, but this time I had a solution. The Zapper, I needed one of those. I realized that all this needless complaining that’s going around needs to stop and I needed a plan to make it happen. 

My co-worker who also heard the sermon said to me, “Why couldn’t you just use a rubber band and snap your wrist every time you complain?” and so I did. I set out in my heart to end this negativity that was suppressing my spirit of gratitude. When you think about it, complaining takes you hostage, changing and controlling your mood. You can get stuck in this rut unknowingly for days, weeks, months or even years. If my life consists of 80 complaints per day, 560 per week, that means a whopping 3920 complaints are stealing time and dwindling my life away in an unpurpose filled and unproductive manner per month. Today is the day for a change. 

Praise Band The Experiment Week: 1

With rubber band on arm, it wasn’t long before other people’s complaints were resulting in me complaining about their complaining. I have found that the initial snap of the rubber band isn’t the worst part of the complaint zapper. It’s the afterburn of the band laying on your red and sore wrist after many snaps. Your friends start to look at you and worry about what you are doing to yourself. Yet I keep it up because I realize that what I’m doing represents God’s hurt when we can’t control our tongues. 

Week 1 Challenge: For the next week,  journal about your experience with the Complaint Zapper. Record everything you have learned about yourself. I pray that you come to a point that you are so disgusted by complaining that your desire to change is stronger than ever. Depending on what survey you read, it takes between 30-40 days to change a habit. So stick with this experiment. Trust me, during this time you will get to know yourself better if you are honest and truly looking for a change. 

My Week 1 Challenge Experience: My first week was a bumpy road to travel down. I found myself resorting to sarcasm in an effort to try and mask my complaints with jokes. I also found myself saying, “Please don’t stop this time”. I realized how important this self-reflection time was, but it seemed very time-consuming. While trying to work, I had to keep stopping to record a word to help me remember my complaints. Then later at home I would go back and record my daily downfalls in detail. That was not a joy ride. With my focus on the negative, I became guilt-ridden and felt like I was a disgusting person. Now that I could see many of my shortcomings, week 2 needed to be a game-changer and it was. Re-name Complaint Zapper to Praise Band!

Week 2 Challenge: Write the word “PRAISE” on your rubber band. This week every time you grumble about something you must give 2 praises to the Lord. The first praise must be to fix the complaint by seeing something positive about it. Then your 2nd praise is a tribute to God from your heart! The more you reflect and journal about how you respond to things becomes a prayer. These prayers help develop a deeper relationship with the Lord as you become more dependent on Him. Always journal your thoughts. After all your character is the only thing you will take to heaven with you when you go. 

My Week 2 Challenge Experience: The week started with my co-worker/friend writing the word “PRAISE” on my Zapper. I was overjoyed that someone was so interested in what I was trying to do. Then she drew flowers on it. This made a big difference in the way that I viewed my heart-searching zapper. Children seemed to notice the band on my arm and asked me about it. I would respond, “It’s a praise band”. One little girl said to me it looks like a rubber band. Then I showed her the word “Praise” written on it. I told the children that the band reminds me to praise God. I did not want them to know that I used it to cause physical pain in order to symbolize how God hurts when we don’t use self-control when dispensing our words. I just kept it simple and asked them about the things they are thankful for. These praises really started to change my life. My focus was now more on communicating with God about why I want to do what’s right yet I kept falling into a pit that is bound for enslavement. I can see the changes happening in me by praising twice as much as I complain, but I know that I’m far from where God is leading me to be. 

Week 3 Challenge: Continue on giving the Lord 2 praises for every complaint. Search your heart deeply and notice how your behavior is affecting others. Let your desire to change your own ways be the light needed to those around you. This challenge takes a look at the command to love others as yourself. Pray and journal. This will allow you to grow in your walk with the Lord. 

My Week 3 Challenge Experience: You may have experienced what I did with it being easier to come up with one praise, but at times you had to really think about the second one. After all, you want your praises to be thoughtful. I’m finding that my appreciation for the Lord is rushed and brushed aside quickly at work. Some of my deepest soul searches came from this observation. If my heart is not fully given over to God, how is a life not fully converted affect those around me? Can I even begin to see the effects that my life plays in the lives of others? My journaling went crazy as I continued to seek guidance from the Lord. I’m experiencing more joy as my praises become more heartfelt instead of a ritual task. 

Week 4 Challenge: Considering repentance. I pray that this experiment has found you in need of repentance. By now you probably have seen a decrease in murmurings, but that may also come at the cost of fewer praises. Search the scriptures daily for your need of repentance and journal about it. Continue with the praise band and let the Lord guide you as your relationship grows in Him. 

My Week 4 and Beyond Experience: As I study and step out in faith trusting in God’s transforming power, I notice a heart change. Being totally depend on Him by trusting in His word brings me wisdom and comfort.  My love and concern for others was growing as I’m allowing the Lord to change me from the inside out. I have also noticed some changes in those around me. What role I played, I may never know, but I like the thought that God was able to do all he could with those around me through the power of love. My experiment lasted for 8 weeks. Each week as I searched the scriptures and journaled, I learned a lot more about myself, God and others. Each week’s Spiritual growth and understand were so different from the weeks before. Finally, as I became numb to the snap of the band, my praises and prayers still stand strong giving glory to God for His mercy. My thoughts are now more aware of those that reject the message of salvation to the point of numbness. I believe we do make a difference and play a role in being Christlike to others. So my prayer for you is that you continue with Praise Band The Experiment until you fully understand the lessons the Lord has for you about praise and any changes that must take place in your life. Many blessings to you on your praise journey. Please email or leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you.