Complaining

Are you a complainer? Complaining is so easy to see when others do it and hard to see in ourselves. What are your most common complaints? Mine seem to be mostly about the amount of work that needs to be done and not having enough time to do it, how hot it is outside, gas prices and the condition of the dirt road and how sorry our neighbors are who don't do their part to maintain their portion of it.

Philippians 2:14-15 says "Do all things without murmuring or complaining, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation...."

The strongest muscle in the human body is right behind your teeth. What we say comes straight from from the heart, pours through our lips, and sometimes damages relationships.

Being a complainer indicates that the Spirit of God is not in control because everything coming out of your mouth is from the human point of view.

According to Numbers 11:1 our complaining angers God. I believe it is because when we complain we are doubting God's character and that He is at work. By choosing to complain, we cling to the idol of a perfect life and therefore forfeit the grace and strength we need to get through whatever we are facing.

"Lord, help me to recognize complaining when I hear it. Soften my heart to what complaining means to You and to others. Protect me from being poisoned by others' words and by my own attitude. Change my attitude toward complaining. Help me to do it less and tolerate it less. Forgive me for forgetting your faithfulness to me. Stir faith in me to trust you in both good and bad.