Do everything without grumbling and arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God who are faultless in a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine like stars in the world. Philippians 2:14-15 HCSB
Our former pastor passed away on a Friday after preaching his last sermon on Wednesday night. I can still remember how he talked about being a grumpy Christian is an oxymoron. Saying grumpy Christian is like saying false truth. The two just don’t go together. The Bible has so many verses that tell us not to grumble. If I gave them all to you, we’d be here all day. So, I will just share a few.
The Bible clearly tells us not to grumble. James 5:9 tells us not to grumble against one another, so we won’t be judged because the judge is standing at the door. 1 Peter 4:9 says to show hospitality to one another without grumbling. In 1 Corinthians 10:6-10 Paul warns them not to become idolaters, commit sexual immorality or complain. He goes on to say this could cause them to be killed by the destroyer.
When we walk with God there will be times when we go through difficult times. This is not the time to grumble and complain, this is the time to trust in God. This is the time to be thankful for His presence in your life. This is the time to be thankful for His mercy and His grace. Thank Him for protecting you during difficult times.
In Exodus 14 when the Israelites got to the Red Sea and Pharaoh’s army was coming up behind them, God moved his cloud that had been guiding them and brought it behind them for their protection. He kept a distance between them and the Egyptians. What did the Israelites do? They grumbled to Moses saying he should have left them in Egypt rather than bring them into the wilderness to die. God had been guiding them with a pillar of cloud by day and fire by night. He had never left them, yet they doubted him in this crucial moment. They allowed their fear to overtake their faith. They didn’t trust God to make a way but that’s exactly what He did when He parted the Red Sea. They were able to walk through the sea on dry ground.
When we grumble and complain we are saying we don’t trust God. We are saying God won’t come through for us. I used to be one of the worst grumblers and complainers there was. But I have learned God doesn’t bless that. I have learned to trust in Him. This has brought me peace and joy beyond measure. It will do the same for you. You don’t have to take my word for it. Try it for yourself. When you find yourself starting to complain about something just think of the good things God has blessed you with. Right then and there stop your grumbling and give Him praise.
Have a great day!