Kicking Up a Fuss

Why is it so easy and natural to complain about things?  It is like we are hard-wired to grumble, gripe, complain, whine, criticize, bellyache, raise a stink, or whatever you want to call this emotional characteristic (my new favorite “kick up a fuss” from living with my grandkids).  Someone from New England once told me that with the four seasons of weather we experience we will always have something to complain about.☺

But, I don’t think this is a NE problem.  And certainly the pandemic doesn’t help the general mood of people.  But just because we have legitimate reasons to complain, should we?  The Bible expressly forbids it as evidenced by Paul saying to the Philippians:

Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life…” (New International Version, Phil. 2,14-16)

So why do we (I should say 'I' but it makes me feel better to say 'we') still do it?  Even though we have been forgiven for our sins through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, that doesn’t mean we are still not sinful and broken at times.  I think part of the problem here is that we don’t take being blameless and pure seriously enough.  And some of us don’t even have the desire to shine like stars as we communicate with others the hope of Jesus Christ.  Complaining about things to a non-believer is a pretty rotten witness.

After re-reading the above, I flashed back to my mom yelling at me when I was a kid.  That is not what I am trying to do here☺  I struggle with complaining just like you do.  And this pandemic has given me lots of ammunition to gripe.  I just want all of us to do better in this area for the sake of those that need the hope of Christ.  So, let's try this.  How about we pray for each other to not have a complaining spirit?  Now I am not asking for us to be fake and inauthentically positive in the midst of life and hardship.  That’s different.  Please be real and honest but maybe a more positive version of yourself.☺

Thanks for your prayers and for allowing me to talk with you about this stuff.  In case you're wondering, you are not in trouble and this is not about anyone specific.☺  I just noticed it in my own heart and wanted to check on you all.

Be safe and have a great rest of the week.  Never forget that God loves you very much.

Derek