Do All Things Without Complaining

Complaining Isn't Productive

Complaining feels harmless, but Scripture treats it as rebellion. Even when it seems justified, it reveals distrust in God’s sovereignty. We all complain sometimes, but what does it say about our hearts? We all know people who express their frustrations, and at times, we may even find ourselves doing the same. Often complainers like to point out they are merely stating the obvious, that something is not being done right or could be done better. But what good comes from this? Not much.

Complainers really only have three choices. Accept things the way they are and try to think about the good that is around them. Change things, or change their relationship to them by removing themselves from the situation. Complaining is simply not productive. Scripture tells us to do all things without complaining (Philippians 2:14). Complaining is really nothing more than idle words.

The High Cost of Complaining

In Numbers 11:1 it is made quite clear what God thinks about complaining. Here we read that it displeased the Lord and even aroused His anger. One well known example, is the story of the Israelites wandering for forty years in the desert. Although they had seen the mighty hand of God at work in their deliverance from Pharaoh and slavery in Egypt, they complained.

They complained about food and water. When God provided them manna from Heaven, they complained because they had no meat. They complained about Moses' leadership. Aaron and Miriam complained about Moses' wife, Zipporah. None of those who complained were allowed to see the promised land. They paid a high price for their complaints. Today, we can also pay a high price. We may become spiritually complacent, lose our joy, damage our witness, or experience broken relationships because of it.

God Is In Control

When we think about our complaints, we must ask ourselves: are we complaining about what God has done for us? After all, God is in control. So, you don't like your job, your spouse, the way people treat you, or your home? The list can go on and on. But ultimately, who do we have to thank that we have a job, a spouse, friends, a home and even our very life? God, of course.

Learning To Be Content

Paul experienced challenges too. Paul explains in Philippians 4:11-13 he had learned, under all circumstances, to be content. Content people are not complaining people. Paul stayed content when most people would have bitterly complained. Whether he had many needs or none, it was Christ who strengthened him.

Shifting Our Focus to Gratitude

When Paul was in jail with Silas in Acts 16, instead of complaining he sang praises to God. Our worldly self would think Paul very justified if he had complained. Certainly he did nothing to deserve jail, or beatings, or the many other things he suffered. But Paul had the strength of Christ, as do we! God's grace strengthened him.

In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Paul tells us about the thorn in his flesh that was not removed. Paul says Jesus assured him His grace was sufficient and that His strength was perfected in weakness. Because of this Paul declares that he will boast in his infirmities so that Christ's power will be with him.

Paul could have easily succumbed to the temptation to complain. He asked God to remove this burden and it wasn't. God had a purpose for this "thorn in the flesh," which was to make Paul humble. But it can be difficult to navigate life without complaining.

Ways to Avoid Complaining

I wrestle with complaining myself. When I notice myself murmuring over work, relationships, or daily frustrations, I realize it is a reflection of a deeper distrust in God’s faithfulness. The temptation to complain is often subtle. It can be a quiet irritation, a negative thought repeated in our minds, or an idle word spoken in passing.

One way to address this is to keep a journal of the many ways we are blessed on a daily basis. Instead of writing about all the bad that happen, we can remind ourselves of God's gracious faithfulness. We can also read the many passages in the Bible about encouragement, like Isaiah 40, Romans 15:13, or John 16:33.

Remember, we are supposed to encourage each other in Christ. Encouragement gives people hope. Hope makes us less likely to focus on just the bad things that are happening to us.

How many times have we seen people who have lost all their possessions due to tragedies, stand in the midst of what was once their home and thank God for saving their life and the lives of their family? In the midst of such loss many people don't complain. They see what is truly important.

Do All Things Without Complaining

In Philippians 2:14-15, Paul says,

"Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,"

This is not a suggestion. It is a command. Complaining distracts us from our purpose in Christ.

One way we witness to the world and show it we are children of God, is by our lack of complaining. Our response to life’s challenges is a witness. Complaining dims our light. Trusting God and practicing gratitude allows us to shine as children of God in a world prone to bitterness and murmurings.

Even though we may feel justified in complaining, we are told not to. When we feel the need to complain, instead pray and thank God for what we have. Let's not focus on what we don't have. We show our trust in God by not complaining.

Trusting God's Sovereignty

In Romans 8:28, Paul states for those called according to God's purpose and who love Him, everything ultimately works for good. Believing this allows us to face bad things because we know God can work them out for good if we are called according to His purpose and if we love Him. It really all comes down to trust. How faithful and true do we believe God really is? Pray with me—

Dear Father,

Forgive me for complaining. Forgive me for not trusting your faithfulness and Your love. Thank you for my blessings and help me everyday to see them and know that they are from you.

In your Son's name, Amen