Complaining Christians

One of the most "life-taking" types of people are those who continuously complain and complain about everything.  They are like a dripping faucet that never ends.  They seem to suck everything positive out of us until we turn negative ourselves.  Misery truly does love company.  However, we as Christians are much wiser in how we go about complaining.  We want to masquerade it as a concern or a prayer request.  When another person approaches us and prefaces their comments with the words, "I'm not really complaining, but I need to tell you...."  It is their pious and gentle way of complaining to us.  Few are the people who can always find the silver lining and look for God's greater purposes.  Those people are high in demand and folks love to be around these types of people--especially complainers or whiners. 

Sadly enough, Christians are seldom confronted about the sin of ingratitude, complaining, or whining.  However it is a lack of understanding who God is and how He might be at work in others.  Paul says in Philippians 2:14-15, "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,..."  God disapproves of our grumbling, whining, and complaining.  In fact, according to Scripture, it hinders His work through us and blemishes our ability to impact the world for Christ.  Our society sees this all the time and it is fitting for a non-believer but not a child of God.  We shine brighter by looking to Him with hearts of gratitude.  We reflect an inner beauty that acknowledges that "God is in control of the details so let's see what He is going to do."

Before we begin to cut loose with our negative spirits and unwholesome words let's ask ourselves if what we are about to say is going to reflect the beauty of our Savior.  We may feel a right to complain or to vent to others because we have been wronged.  However, God has a different way of dealing with our problems.  It means bringing it to Him and if necessary, humbly going to another person in order to bring resolve.  In all things, we must advance the image and work of God that He has entrusted us with.