We've all known times when it's easier to complain than go the other way and build someone up. So, some practical steps we can take:

Step one: Choose gratitude. Even if it means forcing ourselves to focus on positives rather than negatives, let's choose it. If we think hard, there'll be at least one thing that's positive. Let's practise appreciating where we are in life instead of where we'd rather be. Step two: Encourage first. Let's go out of our way to infuse encouragement before complaining happens. When we're with a group of friends and someone starts complaining, it's easy to follow suit and add our gripes to the mix. Let's rather set a culture of being positive in those chats, to nip unnecessary, addictive complaining in the bud. Final step: Learn to let go. Tackling our moaning means we'll grow: 'They were patient when they suffered unjustly' (James 5:10 GWT).

Keeping a positive grateful attitude isn't easy. It only comes if we discipline ourselves to be positive. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NLT) should be our model for handling any little or big niggles: 'Warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone'. Attitude is key: choose gratitude, encourage first, learn to let go.

So what now? Time for a complain-fast. Next time you catch yourself about to speak negatively about someone, stop. Instead, find a way to be encouraging about that person.

When Jesus healed a blind man, he met some surprising - to us - opposition (see John 9). Before Jesus healed the man, his disciples were so keen to find someone or something to blame for the man's problems. Was he blind because of his own or his parents' sins (see John 9:2)? Unlike the society around him, Jesus wasn't looking to blame the man or his family; he was only concerned with healing him. So that's what he did. But then the Pharisees got in on the act (John 9:16). Since they had their own strict, worked-out ideas on exactly what was and wasn't important to God, they were quick to judge Jesus (who, actually, was God... umm, awkward) for not agreeing with what they expected.

Sometimes, it seems we can't please anyone... Know the feeling? But how does Jesus respond? He keeps calm and, more importantly, keeps his centrepoint of love. Despite all that went down in John 9, nothing fazed him, because he knew that he did what his Father wanted.

When we're pushing closer to God, we can know we have purpose. Then, because we know he's with us, we have confidence to answer our critics with a (loving) smile that says,

'I know what I'm doing. God has given me all I need to succeed.'

So what now? Going through something that's bringing opposition? Make time today to bring it before God. Ask: 'Am I defending this because of what I want or because you are in it?' Take as long as you need to chat about any opposition you get with him.

There's a challenge where we look at a really zoomed-in picture of something and try to guess what it is. At first, the picture is of pointless blobs of colour and confusing shapes; then we zoom out and realise it's a dog or a ferris wheel. When we want to follow Jesus and change the world, it may feel a bit like that. We're trying our hardest to live for God and show others his love, but it feels like it's not going anywhere. We read our Bible and tell people about Jesus but it's all still feels like blobs of colour and indistinguishable shapes.

If we look at what we do on its own then, just like the zoomed-in picture, it probably doesn't look clear. God's vision is that zoomed-out realisation. On our own, we may feel like the dog's nostril or the electric lights on the ferris wheel, but when we zoom out we realise that our random, 'insignificant' bits fit into God's big picture. This gives us purpose. Our human efforts and dreams become powerful when added into the mix of God's plan.

If our efforts have a focus on God, they are never wasted. If we pray that our plans fit more and more into God's purposes, then we'll see something glorious.

So what now? If you're feeling a bit frustrated about where you fit, tell God. Be honest about your feelings, and ask him for his 'zoomed out' view. Thank him that you are part of his wonderful plan for the world.

When God directs our dreams, we live in a way we never could otherwise:

(1) We'll be passionate and ready to go. Being part of God's massive vision for the world is a good reason to get out of bed. We each have a valuable part to play in God's vision. This is exciting stuff, and the truth is, the passion the world has to offer - romance, success, fame - doesn't have anything on Jesus' passion.

(2) We'll gain clarity on our God-direction. Having our life directed towards God's vision is an amazing way to live. Our go-to thought is, 'Does X, Y or Z decision bring me closer to God? No? It's probably not the right thing then.' Let's ask God to make his direction clear for us.

(3) We'll know what to do with our God-given direction. Have we ever got something we really wanted, and realised it wasn't that great after all? The latest phone? A promotion at work? None of these things give us purpose if they're not dedicated to, and used by, God. This is how Jesus is different to the world; he gives true meaning and direction. With God's vision, our life matters. He has things for us to do. Let's follow him.

So what now? Ask yourself: 'What makes me passionate, ready to go?' Could that be part of God's plan for your life? Do something practical today to begin running after it.

Throughout the Bible God uses ordinary people to share his dream and plans with the world - Mary, the

pregnant teenager; unsure, stuttering Moses; a crowd of scruffy fishermen from Galilee. In one story of the fishermen, they've been fishing all night and caught nothing. Jesus tells them, 'Don't be afraid! From now on you'll be fishing for the souls of men' (Luke 5:10 TLB)! And they did. Today's worldwide Church sprung from the mission given to those twelve men.

So, we can have huge dreams and God will just make them happen? Not quite. Paul tells us that because Jesus died for us, 'you are not your own; you were bought at a price' (1 Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV). We can't just come up with any old dream, hoping God will come round to the idea. Giving our lives to Jesus means we ask him to work in our dreams or to give us new dreams. And, does it mean Jesus is going to take all of the fun out of our dreams? Definitely not! John 10:10 NKJV says, 'I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.'

When we put our dreams in God's hands and trust that his plans really are better than our human plans, we will see him work powerfully in our lives and in the lives of others.

So what now? Keep a notebook with you, and write down your dreams. Pray through what you've written often, and ask God to guide you to make them a reality.

There's a scene in the movie Mean Girls that sums up how supposedly 'normal' it is to self-criticise: 'My nail beds suck. I hate my calves. My hairline is so weird...' Sadly, we could probably do that scene with examples we hear in our classroom/workplace. Far too frequently we hear someone say something negative about themselves. Or even, far too often we say something critical about ourselves.

By constantly focusing on the negative and getting caught up by what we don't like about ourselves and others, it's impossible to be grateful. If we're absorbed by what we don't like about ourselves, we're going to find it hard to feel happy or fulfilled. Now this doesn't mean that we stop improving ourselves. The Bible clearly says that trying to be more like Jesus should be near the top of our to-do lists. But this doesn't mean obsessing about what's wrong.

So what should we do when we feel critical thoughts creeping into our head? Let's stop, and remind ourselves that when God made us, he didn't make a mistake. Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 NIV that 'in all things God works for the good of those who love him.' He's got everything under control and he knows what he's doing. Let's bring what we have, and God will do the rest.

So what now? Make it your mission to compliment five people today. Each time you compliment someone, say an inner thanks to God for something positive he's given you.