“ When you talk, do not say harmful things, but say what people need – words that will help others become stronger. Then what you say will do good to those who listen to you.” Ephesians 4:29

Well, He couldn’t have instructed us any plainer, could He? We are not to say harmful things about others.

How often do we complain? Especially when it comes to others? We gripe about things they do that irritate us. We don’t speak in words that help those people become stronger and better. We only grumble.

We can protest and say that we don’t put others down and we don’t speak badly of them – at least in public. But what about at home? Do you talk to your husband about your feelings? Do you speak while your children are within earshot? Do you express frustrations about family members?

We all do. We all have people in our lives who rub us the wrong way. People who let us down. People who disappoint and frustrate us. People who probably DO need to make some changes in their hearts or lives. But how are we helping them by simply complaining?

We each have a choice. We can keep our thoughts to ourselves and take them to the Lord in prayer, or we can take action and do something to help the person who is the subject of our irritation. We can do or say something that will motivate them and encourage them to become stronger.

I want others to do good in the lives of those around me. I want others to respect me enough to listen to me. But it starts in my own heart and in my own home – with me doing good and with me being respectful.

I can make a difference. I can try to help someone else be better. Or I can complain. One might actually have a chance at impacting a life – the other one doesn’t even come close.

~ Dionna Sanchez (http://beautyinthestorm.blogspot.com)

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“Do everything without complaining or arguing.” (Philippians 2:14 NIV)

There is a clear directive to not complain (or grumble, as other versions translate it).  We should remember how much the Lord has done for us, and how He is working in every situation, even situations that seem unpleasant at the time.  We deserve hell and have instead received mercy.  That truth alone should not only be enough reason to stop complaining, but more than enough reason to walk through any situation in life with joy.

I once sat, frustrated, as I told a friend that I would walk through what God had laid out for me , but I didn’t have to enjoy it.  She quickly countered with James 1: 2-4: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

God doesn’t want us just to refrain from complaining, but to truly “consider it joy” when trials come our way.  This attitude takes into account God’s goodness, faithfulness, and overall character that has been demonstrated over and over in our lives and the lives of those around us.  We can consider trials as joy because we know the One who is working through them and in us– both for our benefit and for His glory.  We can give thanks because of what God has done and is doing rather than being caught up in our own emotions.

[copyright, 2010, Emily Riley; A Sacrifice of Praise]

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Our fathers, when they were in Egypt, did not consider your wondrous works; they did not remember the abundance of your steadfast love, but rebelled by the sea, at the Red Sea.  Yet he saved them for his name’s sake, that he might make known his mighty power. Psalm 106:7-8

As I read through the Old Testament, I often find myself amazed by the hard-heartedness of the Children of Israel.  God brought plagues on their captors in Egypt, freed His people from harsh slavery, allowed them to walk on dry land through the Red Sea, fed them daily through the wilderness and even made it so that their shoes didn’t wear out for 40 years!  What amazing acts of the power of God… what clear manifestations of His active presence in their lives!

It is easy to think that if I were numbered among them I would not have complained.  I would not have turned from God to worship the golden calf.  I would have remained faithful and waited for Moses to come back with the Law at which point I would have obeyed the law with my whole heart, soul and mind.

Yet so often in my life I make the same mistake that the Children of Israel made over and over again… I forget the amazing and wondrous works of God.  I forget that I was once in slavery, in bondage to my sin, unable to change myself.  I forget how He sustains me daily, how He provides for my needs and how He graciously offers me forgiveness when I sin.  I forget that God is just as actively working in my life as He was in the lives of the Children of Israel.

What is the answer?  Remember the mighty works of God.  Remember how in great mercy and abundant kindness He saved you.  Remember how He has cared for you.  Remember the countless times He has provided for and comforted you in your need.

Let us look once again to our faithful Guide and magnify Him for His greatness.  He is good.  His steadfast love endures forever.  His deeds are mighty and He is worthy of our praise!

Praise the LORD! Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!  Who can utter the mighty deeds of the LORD, or declare all his praise?  Psalm 106:1-2

[copyrighted, 2009, Emily Schankweiler]

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