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.” Philippians 2:14-15 NIV

SST Jimbob the X-Complainer

Today’s audio blog

JImbob the x-complainer blog

Everything is a big word. It excludes all exceptions. From beginning to end and all that is in between, everything finds its home. It cares not about conditional statements or the inquisitive -”but, what if?” Everything wraps its arms around the whole experience.

So when Paul says, “do everything without grumbling and complaining”, he envisions the statement to be a guiding principle which stays in effect all the time and on all occasions.

What’s wrong with grumbling and complaining? It’s just using words, right? Who does it hurt in any way? Why is there such a big deal about grumbling and complaining? As Americans, aren’t we granted  the right to freedom of speech? Isn’t it one of the 10 commandments? Surely it is in the Bible somewhere, that’s where all of our God given rights are found…

Grumbling and complaining are pointed in two main directions – adverse circumstances or toward others who have failed to meet our expectations (typically someone in authority over us). Both reveal a blindness to God’s work in your midst. 

You may be correct that you are enduring a difficult situation and the person over you is being unfair and cruel. But faith to endure both situations comes through your words. Not complaining doesn’t mean you are ignoring real issues.

Complaining fails to tap into the spring of living water which is present within the followers of Jesus. It is from this spring of the Holy Spirit we gain the boldness to speak over our hearts and minds to be at peace and trust that God is with us at every moment. He is listening to the grumbling and complaining and to the words of trust.

How do you stop complaining?

  • Ask God for help to change your words
  • Ask God to bring awareness to you when you start complaining
  • Memorize some Bible verses. “Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouth…Ephesians 4:29
  • Monitor your attitude. Sourness toward others and hardness of heart live in the field of complaining.
  • God gives instructions for taking a matter directly to a person…talking with others about others is gossip and complaining.
  • Try blessing those who are in authority over you…blessing and complaining are mutually exclusive

It’s okay to say “it’s hot”. It is not okay to say, “I hate it when it is hot!”. The second adds a value statement revealing hardness of heart and complaining.

You will find that life’s challenges can be endured in an easier way, when you remove grumbling from your heart and lips. Thankfulness and gratefulness are the heroes of the day. May you plant many of these seeds of life giving words in your home, work, school and social life.

Blessings, Love y’all