A complaint is nothing but a lack of trust

Scripture passage Philippians 2:14

Do all things without grumbling or questioning.

Section from the book

Let’s get something straight. You complain, and you know it. The problem with your complaining is that you do not see it as a problem. You view it as harmless venting. You believe you are just stating facts, that a certain circumstance is frustrating. Your justification of complaining is truly unfortunate, because it certainly bothers God. The reason you complain is the reason it is wrong.

You complain because you misunderstand (or just miss altogether) the grace you have received and the purposes of God in your life. You misunderstand the grace you have received by not recognizing it and receiving it with gratitude. Life, breath, and all of God’s provisions for your life are acts of his kindness and are truly wonderful, and yet they all seem to disappear when the small inconveniences of life appear.

And no, you do not get a pass because you can handle the big problems in life but not the small ones. Perhaps when sickness, death, and affliction come into your life, you run to God and his promises and find comfort that gives peace and patience. Maybe it is just the small stuff that you sweat. So what is the big deal? Everything! In fact, your complaining about the small stuff is more dangerous than complaining about the big, because life is made up of the small stuff. Tragedies punctuate periods of your life, but it is the smaller inconveniences that make up the bulk of your existence, and this is what most people will see you handle. Those situations are the most obvious testing ground of your faith. If God’s grace is big enough for you to handle the big problems, why isn’t it enough for you to walk meekly though the smaller issues?

 Simple thoughts

It is hard for me to say and it may be hard for you to hear but anytime you complain you may think you are only stating facts but the truth is you are really ungrateful for what you do have and questioning God for the circumstances He gave you for your own good. Ouch! I’ve done it and you have too, the key is recognizing it and fixing it. Because complaining is draining and complaining is not a conversation, although there are some who would be mute if they couldn’t complain. The next time you are about to complain or hear someone complaining think about it as a lack of trust in God and address it accordingly. Because God causes ALL things to work together for good for those who love him, even what your complaining about.