Philippians 2:14(KJV)
Do all things without murmurings and disputings.
It is clear 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. Paul points out that we live in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation that refuses to submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. It’s a world marked by grumbling and complaining. Paul wants believers to shine as lights in the world. Jesus also said, Let your light shine before men that they may see your good works. So, the task ahead of every Christian is to shine as light and move away from complains and unreasonable and unnecessary arguments in this dark and perverse world. In other words, if the life our neighbors see in us is 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 God’s faithfulness in the past. Many get bent out of shape and start complaining when things do not go their way, but that 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.” Murmuring, complaining, or ingratitude equals disqualification for destruction. No matter how legitimate our reasons are, avoid complaining and murmuring for no reasoning is acceptable to God for complaining. The shortest way not to get results or get destroyed is to have a case against God. It is time to recognize that giving room to murmuring and complaining is dangerous. Murmuring, complaining, and grumbling further fortifies our captivity. Every time we murmur, we invite the destroyer. Everything we complain about never grows; 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 when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” When we complain, it displeases God and opens the door for the fire of God to consume us. There is nothing to complain about in life.
Beloved, stop complaining, questioning, and disputing about everything that comes into your life, including the boisterous winds. In other words, when you stop complaining and murmuring, you start winning! When complaining continues, captivity continues, for every murmurer exists as a victim of closed doors. 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 does not lead anywhere. So, stop complaining and questioning God. Don’t let murmuring, complaining, and grumbling dry up your resources. Never compare yourself to others. Stop allowing depression to swallow up your joy! Don’t join the company of those who complain out of frustration. When people around you complain about anything, choose to say the opposite. Put the time you spend complaining to better use. Strive to live a blameless life before God and let Him take care of that which is not for you to deal with. Today, channel your energy and resources toward 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 wishing to be where you are. Remember, when men 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 trust You in every situation so I can shine brightly in this dark world in Jesus’ Name.