Are You a Complainer?

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Are you a complainer?  The Bible has lots to tell us about complaining. In Psalm 142 we read how King David poured out his complaint to the Lord.  That’s the person we should complain to, because when we tell God how we feel, we realize how foolish some of our complaints are, and we know that he understands us.  He has told us to cast all our cares on him, for he cares for us.

So, we should only complain to the Lord.  James 5:9 tells us, “Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged.”  Here’s another principle about complaining:  We should never complain or grumble about each other.

Then in 1 Peter 4:9 we read that we are to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Now, this applies to our service for others.  How often we do the right thing but with the wrong spirit?

I remember once when I got roped into doing something at church.  I didn’t want to do it, but somehow there I was, serving others.  But I was grumbling and complaining in my spirit about having to do it.  And God showed me so clearly that he wouldn’t put up with that kind of attitude from me.

And then Philippians 2:14 says we are to do everything without complaining or arguing.  But listen to the great benefits of practicing this biblical principle: “…so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life.”  We will shine like stars and show others Jesus as we learn to do everything without complaining.

So, when you have a complaint, first of all, take it to the Lord.  Just tell him how you feel and ask him for his perspective.  You’re going to be amazed at how your attitude will change.  Then stop yourself when you hear those complaining words start to come out of your mouth.  Just refuse to say them, swallow them in mid-sentence if necessary.

What a great testimony Christians would have especially in the marketplace if we truly learned God’s method of complaining.  I challenge you to join me in that school.