In our culture it is normal to complain. How many times a day do you complain? One might think that they don’t complain at all. That’s what I thought. Then I decided to count my complaints:
“Ugh, it’s so cold in the morning; I have to wear a sweatshirt.”
“Drat, there’s not enough wind to sail.”
“The service here is so slow.”
“That person is driving so slow. They’re going to make me late.”
“The doctor's office hasn’t called me back yet. They are so bad at communicating.”
I uttered all of those complaints before noon!
Paul has something to say about complaining in Philippians chapter 2: “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you” (v. 2:14-15a). This directive to the church is not because of any outright dissension, but because of their grumbling. Just as a slow drip in a leaky faucet is an indication of a problem, grumbling or complaining is a sign of discontent. Just like a leaky faucet is annoying to hear, our complaining to others is not pleasing to the Lord.
John 10:10 starts with, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” The enemy can use our discontent to draw us away from God. Grumbling, complaining, and discontent can lead us down the path of questioning God and His goodness, which can lead to outright rebellion. Yikes! Yet, Jesus has a solution, as v. 10 continues: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus came to lay down His life, without complaining, so that we could be forgiven. And He calls us to live like He did. He modeled how to live in a world full of darkness.
How can we do that? Start with an attitude of gratitude!
“The cooler weather allows me to wear a sweatshirt.”
“This summer weather is letting us be outside more.”
“No wind means I have time to work on something I’ve been putting off. Thanks, God!”
“That person is driving slowly; maybe they’re having a bad day. I should pray for them.”
Paul continues to exhort us to live like Jesus: “Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people” (Philippians 2:15b-16). Let’s live differently than our culture. Instead of complaining, let's be thankful every day and become a shining light. Our dark world needs it!