Bible passage: Philippians 2:14-16 Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.
As we grow in our relationship with Christ, the Holy Spirit begins to show us worldly habits that we once thought were harmless but actually harm our relationship with God. One such habit is complaining and grumbling, which seems almost ingrained in the culture here in the U.K. It’s common to hear complaints during tea breaks at work or when socializing with colleagues.
Reflecting on my university days, I realise how common it was for conversations to kick off with complaints about fatigue or the hassle of commuting. These complaints seemed harmless at the time but gradually became a daily routine. So, when God convicted me of this, it was a real eye-opener. Initially, I tried to justify it as venting rather than complaining, but I soon realised that I couldn’t outsmart God’s guidance with logic. Complaining, defined as expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance, is essentially the same as venting.
Just a disclaimer: there’s nothing wrong with seeking advice or support from others. However, complainers often aren’t seeking solutions; they just want validation. Plus, complaining tends to dampen the mood rather than lift it, making it harder to live out a life of gratitude as God instructs (1 Thessalonians 5:18).
As children of God, complaining isn’t just harmful to our mental health, but also detrimental to our relationship with God. It’s an attitude that displeases Him because it displays a lack of appreciation for all He does for us. The Israelites’ journey in the wilderness is a great example of this.
In Exodus, we see how God rescued the Israelites from Egypt after ~400 years in captivity. This divine rescue was accompanied by great signs and wonders, such as the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14). However, despite all of the amazing works of God the Israelites witnessed, they complained throughout their journey. They not only grumbled but tested God and even insinuated their captivity in Egypt was better than their current situation. Their constant rebellion (rightly) displeased God, leading to severe consequences, including many not reaching the promised land. It is also said that the 40-year journey the Israelites took to reach the promised land should have only taken 11 days! A tragic outcome indeed.
Many of us wonder why we aren’t seeing growth in our lives. However, we overlook how complaining and a lack of gratitude hinder our progress. If we don’t appreciate what we have, how can we expect to receive more from God?
Therefore, I encourage you to resist the temptation to complain and instead cultivate a spirit of gratitude. Knowing that thankfulness pleases God should motivate us to change our attitudes. And I don’t doubt your life will radically change for the better!
For further reflection, check out Exodus 16 and 17.
P.S. Like the Israelites, we’re on a journey to our promised land (heaven), where every thought, speech, and action we make is seen by God. So, let’s avoid repeating the mistakes of our ancestors (the Israelites). Instead, let’s coninue this journey with gratitude, faith, and trust in God’s goodness and ability to take care of us.
