It's Too Easy To Complain

Philippians 2:14-16 (NKJV) 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, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain.

It's just too easy to complain. I do it. You may find yourself doing it. It's too easy. When things don't go the way we like; when things aren't arranged to our satisfaction; when people aren't moving fast enough, nice enough, happy enough; complaining is the all too common response.

Poor Moses lived with it for forty years!

May it not be so among us as believers. As a pastor, I've complained and heard my fair share of complaints. Instead of jumping in to help solve the situation, I've witnessed countless people stand on the sidelines, sending out their opinions on things that they aren't even a part of, and are unwilling to help solve. In fact, there are a few who love to complain about our church that don't even attend here!

When we complain, we disobey. When we complain, we express our opinions in a way that tears down instead of building up.

I'm reminded of the statement Roosevelt made on the topic. I pray it encourages you today to jump in and help with some of the things you see that need improvement...instead of complaining.

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." - Roosevelt

Trusting Him,
Pastor Ed


Response
Funny (well, not funny), how we can forget that we need God for EVERYTHING in our lives! I learned that day, back in 1985, that my personal decisions got me in the condition I was in. I learned later I could not trust my decisions & that I needed to depend on His alone! He is the One who has kept me sober all these years & also removed many more sins from my life, one by one by one by one & so on. And, He still is doing that, only the number has come way down so it is not as often.....He is so patient with us! I have much more Jesus-confidence than self-confidence now. Amen!