ent – March 18
Give up complaining and learn to praise.
Complainers contribute nothing to the good of mankind. It is the nature of complainers to only sound off about what they don’t like. And they definitely don’t offer solutions. Arm-chair quarterbacks is what they are called in the football world. Or backseat drivers when you’re talking about cars.
God is pretty hard on complainers, and they are not considered to be constructive, contributing parts of the body of Christ. The converse of a complainer is a worshiper. This is someone who sees good and magnifies it. Whenever they see something that needs a tweak or a change, they look at it through God’s eyes.
But one has to be invested to be this kind of person.
“. . . there was no water there for the people to drink. So once more the people complained against Moses. ‘Give us water to drink! ‘ they demanded. ‘Are you trying to kill us, our children, and our livestock with thirst?” Exodus 17:1-2.
“But you, my dear friends, must remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ said. They told you that in the last times there would be scoffers whose purpose in life is to satisfy their ungodly desires. These people are the ones who are creating divisions among you.” Jude 17-19.
“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Philippians 2:14, 15.
Question: Would you say you ‘re more of a complainer or an encourager? Where do you think that tendency comes from?
Activity: Think of one way that you can avoid complaining and become more invested in contributing to the Good.
Prayer: O God who never gives up, we want to be like you. We want to be people who do not sit on the sidelines throwing complaints to those who are giving their all. Please fill us with your passion and perseverance. May we not give in to complaint. In Jesus’ name. Amen.