Complain. Gripe. Grumble.
Pout. Negative. Negative.
Negative.
What do you do when things don’t go your way? How do you react to situations? Are you someone who puts on a positive
attitude or are you a complainer? It can
be very easy to whine and complain when things go wrong. We are all guilty of complaining.
Complaining is dangerous business. It can damage your relationship with God,
other people, and even with yourself. It
is so easy to complain. Sometimes I
believe we don’t realize just how much we do it. I believe it is one of the most challenging
habits for us, as humans, to overcome.
And boy, is it a hard habit to break!
Complaining is Not a
Fruit of the Holy Spirit
God doesn't like it when we complain. It displeases Him when we lack faith, doubt
His power, question His ability or willingness to provide, and hesitate to rest
in His love.
“22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our
lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23
gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” (Galatians
5:22-23 NLT)
Complaining is a
Destructive Habit
Sure, we've all done it.
Something doesn't go our way and we gripe and whine about it. This is showing an ungrateful, prideful and
bitter attitude. We don’t like
discomfort or sacrifice. We don’t want
anything to be difficult. This causes us
to have a selfish perspective of difficult situations and say things that we
should not.
Do we realize we are testing God’s patience when we
complain? As believers we are challenged
to not grumble or complain. We should
look for the silver lining in every situation.
Some of the best spiritual growing we can do is accomplished during hard
and painful times in life. Our trails
should cause us to press into God. He
will change you during those times. We
develop an attitude of humility and gratitude, which brings real freedom into
our live – the freedom of not having my way but still being happy as if I did.
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that
no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God,
shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”
(Philippians 2:14-15 NLT)
Complaining Can Lead
to Disobedience
Along with complaining usually comes pouting. If we focus constantly on the negative, we
can lose sight of all the good and wonderful things that God does in our
lives. This can lead us to an attitude
where we can lose our faith and maybe even cause others to lose their faith as
well.
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say
be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who
hear them.” (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)
Complaining Can Lead
to Fighting
Complaints come from unfulfilled desires. This can lead to envy and strife.
“What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t
they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t
have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have,
but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet
you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it. 3 And even when
you ask, you don’t get it because your motives are all wrong—you want only what
will give you pleasure.” (James 4:1-3 NLT)
Complaining Gives
Place to the Devil
Think of complaining as the enemy’s language. When we complain, we open the door for the
enemy to come in and cause trouble.
Satan thrives in an atmosphere of complaining. When you have something you want to complain
about ask God to help you relax and resist the temptation to get upset.
“31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and
slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each
other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has
forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32 NLT)
Sinful Nature
If we must complain about something, let it be to God about
our sinful nature. Let us ask for
forgiveness so that God will cleanse us and put within us a new heart – a heart
that rejoices rather than complains.
Let us confess our complaining as sin. Let us believe that where we are today is a
place where God desires to work and to cause all things to result in our
good. Rather than complain, let us thank
God and offer our requests to him in prayer.
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just
to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1 John 1:9 NLT)
Keep a Positive
Attitude and Resist Temptation
Things WILL go wrong.
This is inevitable. We can choose
to spend all our time complaining, taking our eyes off of God, OR we can find a
way to make things better. We can
remember all the things that the Lord has blessed us with.
It should be our goal to have a constant attitude of
gratitude. Resist the temptation to
complain and instead praise the Lord for all He is and all He has done for
you. By God’s grace and His strength,
you can overcome the spirit of complaint and live each day with a positive and
thankful heart!
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.” (Philippians 4:6
NLT)
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