“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. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.”
Philippians 2:14-16 NLT
Philippians 2:14-16 NLT
Sometimes it’s hard to recognize a blessing from God when we lose focus. We start thinking about short term goals and needs, which can hinder the game plan for the long term goal. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with achieving short term goals. Those things can also healthy and important. However, standing the course to reach longevity, we sometimes tend to make detours which causes spiritual and natural delays in our lives.
Complaining can be a spiritual death sentence for God’s plans for us. Why? We miss the reason of why God has place us in our current status or situations. We undermine his authority and display unappreciation of his love for us. We cause our spirits to disconnect from God and distrust fills us. Telling God you are afraid or worried is not a sin. He’s not moved by our negative feelings, but by our actions. He knew what we would go through when he created us. However, he wants us to trust him through the process of life. God placed us in certain places or situations to use us as a vessel to either be a witness of his power, bring a lost or broken soul to Christ, or simple a self lesson to empower us. Whatever, the case we are strengthen through all tests, trials, and blessings.
We have to learn to manage our emotions. In managing our emotions, control our speech, and demeanor. Reminding ourselves to be careful not to speak death off of our tongue. Quick to take on matters in which we have no authority. God doesn’t need our opinions to guide us.
Therefore, be careful not to destroy your witness with complaining. We are all guilty of complaining. I too have had my moments. In those moments, I had to repent for my actions, because the Holy Spirit always showed me why something is taking place in my life. I as well had to learn not to take for granted the presence of God in my life.
How many times have we gotten ourselves into a mess and begged God to help us, only to turn around and backtrack into the net he saved us from. Hard headed children of God we can sometimes be. Think about the children of Egypt and how much they complained about Moses leading them out of captivity. They complained the entire way without first being thankful to be out of captivity, but not even acknowledging it was God protecting them from Pharaoh recapturing them. They were so ungrateful, they wanted to return because they thought it was better to remain a slave then to be set free in the wilderness. Really! (Read Exodus 14:1-31, 15:22-27, 16:1-36 NLT).
God continued to bless them in spite of their complaints.
There are many examples in the bible where God’s people complained although they all were receiving some type of benefit from the struggles taking place.
- Numbers 11:1 People complained to Moses
- Luke 15:2 Pharisees and the teachers complained
- John 6:61 Jesus’ disciples complained
- Gen 31:1 Laban’s sons complained about Jacob
We sometimes have this same mindset. Falling trap to the devil and desiring to go back to past bondage. We cannot become content with things of evil because it’s comfortable, then complain for release. God will not have us to be double minded.
God’s timing is still perfect.
We can learn from the hardship examples of the bible when people displayed disobedience and discontentment.
Daily we must practice being grateful. How do we do this, by displaying the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Continuous prayer, daily meditation, and daily bible study. If you make a daily confession, that God’s will is your will, Satan cannot tempt you to bear false witness against God or anyone with fruitless conversations, thoughts, or interactions.
Our current situations are indeed blessings. God sees what we cannot see. Trust me, a lot of the things we desired or tried to hold on to, God removed to save our lives. Be thankful every time God said no. The next time you begin to feel overwhelmed use the action steps below.
Actions Steps:
1.Stop and breathe.
2.Pray.
3.Remain silent & ask God for his words.
4.Process your thoughts in silence.
5.Thank God for where you are and what you’re going through.
6.When you speak, speak positive life confessions.
Today’s reading:
John 6:43-59 NLT(Jesus teaching at the synagogue in Capernaum).
Numbers 14:27-45. NLT (The Lord punishes the Israelites).
Thank you God for your wisdom which is our peace.
Pray & not Complain
Love,
Marti L. Coates
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