Opinion column

Refrain from complaining – Thank God instead

James Knight points out that our lives will be enriched if we respond to circumstances with positivity, rather than moaning and complaining.

It’s not nice to be around people who complain a lot, is it? Not only does their constant grumbling repel us, it actually makes it harder for us to want to help them. I’m sure you know what I mean – we are more closely drawn to the person who needs our help but understates it in order to not be a bother, than we are the person who is always moaning about everything that’s wrong, without much recourse to advice or improvement.
 
Our distaste for perennial complaining isn’t just psychologically reinforcing, it is based on Biblical wisdom too. There is a clear Biblical mandate to conduct ourselves without complaining. Philippians 2:14 says “Do everything without grumbling or arguing”, James 5:9 says “Do not grumble against one another”, and in Galatians 5:22-23, joy is mentioned as one of the fruits of the spirit. Instead of complaining, we are told to “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Give thanks in all circumstances, even the bad ones, for this is what builds us up in stronger faith and stronger character.
 
Life has many challenges to overcome - so not complaining doesn’t mean there are no struggles coming our way. It means that, in spite of challenges, we have the right perspective and the right attitude in relation to God and to others. In avoiding complaint and adopting a thankful, gracious attitude, we are honouring God’s wishes, and we will be more blessed because of it.
 
There are several other reasons why it’s good not to complain. It has a detrimental effect on your mood, and may impede your mind from generating a more balanced perspective. It can be discouraging for others, and create distance in your relationships. It can make you a bad witness for others; a religion whose adherents are perennially dissatisfied with life and who continually grumble and complain may not be very attractive to unbelievers. It can be detrimental to the peace, joy, and patience that come from the Spirit, and it can block out the light of the good work that God is doing in those challenging circumstances.
 
If we are not to complain, then how should we respond to challenges and frustrations in our life? I find it helpful to do the following. First, take it to God and invite Him in to the situation. Second, have some quiet time with Him and allow Him to speak into the grievance, and be open to revelation and a deeper understanding. Third, try to maintain a permanent sense of gratitude for all things good and bad in life, and thankfulness for all the ways that God is working in us during the challenges and the growth.
 
Finally, whenever there feels like a need to complain, I find that with a moment’s thought it is not hard to declare something positive about the surrounding situation. Because everything is a trade-off, there is usually plenty of good working alongside the things we feel like complaining about.

So my challenge is, when you are about to complain, refrain and endeavour to speak something positive, or something connected to the complaint for which you can feel grateful and thankful to God – and I am confident that it will improve your relationship with God, your relationship with others, your sense of perspective, and your overall well-being. “Then”, as the Bible says, “you will shine among them like stars in the sky”.
 
Photo by Craig Adderley on pexels.com

James Knight is a local government officer based in Norwich, and is a regular columnist for Christian community websites Network Norfolk and Network Ipswich. He also blogs regularly as ‘The Philosophical Muser’, and contributes articles to UK think tanks The Adam Smith Institute and The Institute of Economic Affairs, as well as the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC). 

The views carried here are those of the author, not necessarily those of Network Norfolk, and are intended to stimulate constructive debate between website users.