Do We Complain?
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.
Philippians 2:14-15
Dissatisfaction is the main reason that humans tend to complain; however, it is impossible to live in this world without experiencing dissatisfaction. We can experience dissatisfaction with traffic, when our cars break down, when we are sick, and the list continues with unlimited possibilities. We all experience things that cause dissatisfaction in our lives, but the real question is what do we do when we are dissatisfied? The verse above tells us to do all things without complaining and disputing, which means using Godly wisdom to handle dissatisfaction instead of venting anger and possibly blaming others.
Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me from the tree, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:11-12). Adam was the first person to complain, and his complaint was about Eve who gave him the fruit to eat. This reflects the sinful nature that resulted from the fall, complaining and blaming others.
It’s easy to complain about everything and to vent complaints with anger. This is not the way God intended for us to handle dissatisfaction. Instead, we are to see all things in the world through the Spirit, who enables us to handle situations through the Lord’s endless love and power. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26). This is a promise of God, that all things are possible but only if we truly believe and take this verse to heart.
Without the Lord’s love and power in our lives we cannot vent our dissatisfactions with life in a manner that is pleasing to the Lord. It is an amazing gift when the power of the Lord frees us from angry outbursts in response to our dissatisfactions. We can handle the many things in this world that we find dissatisfying, but we overcome them through his power guidance. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith (1 John 5:4). How can we overcome the world when the dissatisfying things of the world take control of our emotions and make us angry and fearful, stealing our peace and joy?
Having a heart filled with God’s love and living as God’s ambassador enables a person to handle dissatisfaction much easier because we see this world as our temporary home and heaven as our eternal home. Knowing and living with this in our hearts greatly changes how we live in this world. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it (John 17:16). We are not of this world, we are the Lord’s ambassadors on a temporary assignment until he calls us home and says to us, “Well done my good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21).
Today exhibit self-control and seek Godly wisdom whenever Satan brings something dissatisfying to you. Go through your day with a thankful heart to the Lord, because the more thankful we are, the less sensitive we are to the dissatisfying things in the world. Let the annoying things in your day have no control over you, but choose to walk in peace and joy.
Let’s Pray: Lord, keep me from complaining today and help me to overcome everything through your power and love. Help me to overcome the world more each day. Mold me to be more like Christ so that I can be free in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen