Philippians 2:14-15(NLT)
Do everything without complaining and arguing, 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.
It has been established that the lifestyle of complaining, murmuring and grumbling are doorways to stagnation in life and destiny. Complaining is never productive and robs us of the peace and joy of living. Complaining, murmuring or lusting is a mark of unbelief, and shows faithlessness and ingratitude. The task ahead of us shining as light in a dark and perverse world does not demand for people who complain and make unreasonable and unnecessary arguments. As Paul points out, the world around cannot see Christ, so there is no light in their darkness. In other words, if the life our neighbors see in us are explainable only in terms of our complaining, what do we have to say to our neighbors that will awaken them to their need for Christ? If the situations we face cause us to react with the same murmuring, discontent and bitterness they have, what’s the difference between our quality of life and theirs?
Complaining or murmuring makes people forget all of God’s faithfulness in the past. Many get all bent out of shape and start complaining when things do not go their way, but that kind of attitude only closes the door to God’s miracle-working power. It is written in 1 Corinthians 10:10, “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” No matter how legitimate our reasons, avoid complaining and murmuring. No reason is acceptable to God for complaining. The shortest way not to get results or get destroyed is to have a case against God. When we stop seeing what God has not done, everything keeps getting done in our favor. It is time to recognize that it is dangerous to give room to murmuring and complaining. Every time we murmur, we invite the destroyer. Everything we murmur about never grows, rather it diminishes. When murmuring stops, accomplishment begins. When complaining stops, triumph begins. When we complain to men, we secure sympathy but when we complain to God, we incur His anger. Numbers 11:1 says “And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp.” Those who complained were consumed by the fire of God. There is nothing to complain about but there is everything to praise God for.
Beloved, stop complaining, questioning and disputing about everything that comes in your life including the boisterous winds. It is only the obedience of faith that produces that quality of life which cannot be explained. In other words, when you stop complaining and murmuring, you start winning! Consider this old Chinese proverb: “The gem cannot be polished without friction nor man perfected without trials.” And do not forget that a path without obstacles in most cases does not lead anywhere. So, stop complaining and questioning God. Don’t let murmuring, complaining and grumbling dry up your resources. Stop comparing yourself to others and stop allowing depression to swallow up your joy! Don’t join the company of those who complain out of frustration. When people around you are complaining about anything, choose rather to say the opposite. Put the time you spend complaining into better use. Strive to live a blameless life before God and let Him take care of that which is not yours to deal with. Today, channel your energy and resources towards the propagation of the Gospel, which has the potential to change and transform sinners. Give thanks to God for what you have without looking at what you do not have for somebody is praying for what you have and wish to be at where you are . Remember, that when men shall say there is a casting down, you shall say there is a lifting up.
O Lord, forgive me for my complaining and grumbling, help me to trust You in every situation and in doing so shine brightly in a dark world in Jesus’ Name.