Complaining - Losses and Gains
Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:6
I don’t know about you, but when I moan and complain or when I’m around people who complain, the atmosphere seems to be depleted of joy. It’s not fun to be in a space where complaining becomes an endless lament of whining and winging about everything and anything. I remember a colleague of mine who used to complain so much that she became known as “Moaner Lisa.” We all need grace when we are around the “Moaner Lisa’s in our lives.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we are told to be different to those who live without the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:17). One of the ways in which we can be different is by staying away from the camp of complainers. In the camp of complainers and grumblers, there are only losers. We lose sight of what God wants to do in our lives. We lose our trust in His omnipotence to do the impossible. We lose our peace and joy. We lose our faith in a God whose plans and purposes for our lives are good. We lose the testimony that reflects Christ to the world.
Shine as Lights
When we refrain from complaining and grumbling, we have much to gain. This is what Paul says we will gain. This is what 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.” Philippians 2:14-15 (NKJV)
Complaining and grumbling extinguish the light we are meant to illuminate in the dark and perverse world we live in. We can illuminate the light of Christ daily in practical ways wherever we find ourselves. When we are in a store, and we see a distraught mother trying to calm a child throwing a tantrum, instead of complaining, why not bless the mother with an encouraging word? When we are in a long queue, and the cashier is slow, instead of complaining, why not thank her for her good service? When our colleagues complain about issues in the workplace, instead of joining their litany of complaints, why not ask God to help you find solutions?
When we do this, we gain Christ (Philippians 3:8). Our words become softened with God’s love. We shed his light, his joy and peace in our dark world. We testify to an omniscient God who loves us, sees us, and cares about every detail of our lives and those of others.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)
Reflection: Do you want to free yourself from the habit of complaining? Think of ways that you can reflect the light of Christ in the places you find yourself daily.
Prayer: Dear Lord Jesus, You know how easily I succumb to complaining and grumbling. Forgive me. Help me to see how I can shine Your light in this dark world so that I honour You. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
