Complain and Remain


During my youth, I was a chronic complainer. I frequently griped about things such as annoying TV commercials and overplayed songs on the radio. When I later became a Christian and learned that our words have power (as mentioned in Proverbs 18:21), I became more mindful of what I said.

One dictionary defines complain as “express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.” Sometimes I’ll rant about things on social media, but when possible, I'll also offer a solution. Constant complaining grieves the Lord. The children of Israel spent forty years in the wilderness because of that. Some of them experienced an early death because of their moaning and groaning. Numbers 11:1 says, “Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused. So the fire of the Lord burned among them, and consumed some in the outskirts of the camp.”


Occasionally, I’ve caught myself complaining about traffic, but I soon thank God when I have a car to drive. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” Notice this verse doesn’t say, “FOR everything give thanks.” God is not the orchestrator of negative circumstances, but can make a way of escape when we find ourselves in one (1 Corinthians 10:13).


Preachers are tempted to complain when things don’t go as quickly and smoothly as they would like with their ministries. While attending this year’s Summer Campmeeting at Calvary Campground, I heard a powerful message by Debbie Garland titled “Praise Confuses the Enemy.” She encouraged us to “enjoy the journey” (Amtrak uses that exact slogan). A pastor I know, who was at the same meeting, told me about an employer he once had who was very critical of him. My friend thought about quitting this job but instead started praising God and felt better afterward. A short time later, his boss apologized to him.


That reminded me of a couple of situations during my brief employment with a marketing company in 1995. Initially, I was hired as a customer service representative, but I soon requested a transfer to the mailroom. I wanted to listen to sermon tapes on a Walkman while working instead of talking on the phone all day. Shortly after my position changed, I spoke with two young women who were also being trained as representatives. They told me the sales trainer became more demanding after I left their department. My presence there made a difference. On the other hand, another employee in the mailroom constantly complained about things. Putting on my earphones helped drown out her negative words. When we spend time with complainers, we tend to adopt their attitudes.


One topic Christians frequently complain about is politics. I drift away from those who engage in lengthy discussions about that. While I certainly don’t support policies advocated by the Democratic Party, I concentrate on two actions that have the potential to bring about positive change: voting and praying. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 commands us to pray for those in authority “…that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”


We have a choice to make. We can rise out of our circumstances with praise or complain and remain in them. What’s your choice?


“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” - Philippians 2:14-15

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