STOP WHINNING!

There are many “SHOULDs” in life: “We should study hard and make our parents proud”; “We should not speak against the government”; “We should do whatever our parents tell us to do”; “We should get a university degree if not we cannot make it in life”; etc. There are so many unwritten “rules” that people sprout, especially in Singapore. In recent weeks, many foreign organisations are criticising our “lack of democracy” and “freedom of expression and speech”. Many civil organisations have appealed to the IMF/WB committee to request that they approach the government to grant them the right to protest. Singapore has however remained firm in her stand.

My point is...when we are given instructions to do things, e.g. in the office we are always ‘picked on’ to do errands that are either beyond our duties or on last minute notice, we need to try our best to meet that request. Many times things may not seem to flow with how we feel and would like, but we always have to remember our higher calling--to submit to authorities (see bible verses below). That’s not the tough part. The most difficult part is doing is without complaint. That’s a challenge because we all always fall into the “whining” trap. What's the point if we do things so grudgingly. That's not being Christ-like.

That doesn’t mean allowing ourselves to be exploited. We should be allowed to assert ourselves and our rights to a certain extent. But before we do that, always try to give others’ the benefit of the doubt by thinking in their shoes (“Did she give me that task to do only now because she had to wait for someone else to do his/her part?” “Is there a lack of manpower that is why I’m asked to do this?”). Learn to weigh the circumstances before jumping to a conclusion that the person's just a "mean old hag".

If you realise external circumstances like these do not exist and the person keeps “exploiting” you, then assert yourself politely but firmly. Never attack the person but express your feelings gently. If you don’t you may end up nursing a grudge, acting out some form of passive-aggression, or worst you could die unhappily and disgruntled at a much younger age than you could’ve potentially lived till if not for that latent anger that you’ve been carrying for the past decade! Remember, assert respectfully.

Submission to Rulers and Masters

13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men. 16Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.

18Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. 19For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22"He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.