When We Complain...

com·plain/kəmˈplān/

Verb:

Express dissatisfaction or annoyance about a state of affairs or an event. State that one is suffering from (a pain or other symptom of illness): "he began to complain of headaches".

I had coffee with a godly friend recently and during our conversation the subject turned to complaining, or better stated, how we both had a complaining spirit of late. I came home and remembered:

When we complain, we're loudly saying the blessings of the gospel aren't enough. We're saying that the death of Christ isn't enough. We're saying that eternal fellowship with God, purchased at great cost to God, isn't enough to satisfy our souls. we're saying that forgiveness of sins is nice, but not that nice. We're say that God "[has] not wisdom, or power or mercy enough" to provide for us.  We're saying that God himself, who is the very definition of goodness, isn't good enough. We would like a little something more, if you don't mind. God plus [insert desire of choice] should do the trick. When we complain, we accuse God of being stingy, not giving us enough. ...The only way to cut the nerve of complaining is to regularly and actively remember and savor and apply the gospel. (Taken from The Greener Grass Conspiracy by Stephen Altrogge, Crossway Books, page 72, emphasis added.)

What is that we complain about? Nearly everything. Our jobs, our coworkers, our friends, our enemies, our loved ones, our finances, and the list goes on. We (I) need to humble ourselves, confess our sin of grumbling and start afresh recalling the rich mercies found in the gospel.

    Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,
(Philippians 2:14-15 ESV)

S.D.G.