No one likes a complainer but we all do it sometime. Have you ever thought about how we complain about the job we asked God to give us; the kids we asked God to give us; the spouse we asked God to give us; the new cell phone we asked God to give us! We don't have to try to complain because, as humans, it comes naturally. I have to try not to complain.
I heard to complain is to remain and not move forward. I do agree that when we are complaining we are not moving forward. Things will remain the same and not get better. No one has ever suffered more than Jesus and He praised God on the cross!
What does the Bible say about complaining? Philippians 2:14-15, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing, 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.'" How can we not complain? The easy answer is to give thanks in all things. Nehemiah 8:10, "The joy of the Lord is our strength". Thessalonians 5:18, "...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." Thankfully, God will give us strength to do this if we ask Him. Psalms 28:7, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him." And He even helps us turn our complaining into rejoicing!
Join me this new year in asking God to help us not to complain! We need to be a bright light in this dark world! Philippians 2: 15, "...Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky."