Complaining. So easy to do. No one will reprimand us for complaining. No one. So why do we complain? The reasons are limitless: too cold, too hot, too lukewarm, too tired, too hyper, too full, too hungry, too bored, too busy. With so many “reasons” to complain, we should just complain all the time, right?
Wrong.
The Bible clearly states that we should not complain.
Jude 1:16
These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage Really, when you think about it, Complaining is very prideful. Why? Because you are still focusing on yourself. Whether you are focusing on how much or how little you have, it is about YOU.
Anytime we complain, we are complaining against the blessings God has given us. Yes, we are going to have problems in life. It is a fallen world. Complaining doesn't do anything for anyone!
James 5:9
Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you [yourselves] may not be judged.
Have you ever complaining about your siblings being to rowdy, or your mom being to judgmental, or your friend being to talkative. Every seed you sow has a return address. Be careful what you send out.
1 Peter 4:9
Practice hospitality to one another (those of the household of faith). And [in each instance] do it ungrudgingly (cordially and graciously, without complaining but as representing Him).
This was one of the hardest things for me. I had such a difficult time with this one. I am pretty good at complaining, if you know what I mean.
Now, girls, hear me out on this. *cough* PMSdoesn'tgiveyoutherighttocomplain*cough* cough* really, it doesn't. I cannot tell you how many people I know complain and complain and complain when they are "PMSing." Seriously? Girls today have been given an excuse to complain and act like brats for a week every month. That is a quarter of the year that girls are able to complain freely without taking blame for it. Let me say this; Complaining is complaining. Doesn't matter if it is that time of the month, that time of the year, or that time of your week.
I realize that we need to vent. You need to vent, I need to vent, and my cousin's mother's friend's sister needs to vent. You know who we should vent to? God. As an awesome quote from Bill Johnson goes, " Tell God your problems, even though He already knows. It will get them off your back, and give Him a chance to show you the solution." {note: I typed this from memory, so I may be a couple words off, but it is basically the same.}
There are indeed people who genuinely have a right to complain. But they don't. Seriously.Everyone I know who has a great reason to complain, doesn't. At all. So why do we, as pretty well off Americans complain? I believe a lot of it stems from boredom, self-pity, and laziness. Overall, I believe it is our job as Christians to be a light. Let's not complain. Let's make a choice to be grateful for what we have.
I want to end this post with a scripture I feel fits the topic perfectly.
Philippians 2:14-16
Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining {against God} and questioning and doubting {among yourselves}so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation. Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.
Sincerely,
Libbi H.
