Complaining can show a lack of faith in God’s Word that says, ‘God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love [him]’ (Romans 8:28 NLT). The Bible says: ‘When Pharaoh…let the people go, God did not lead them along the main road that runs through Philistine territory, even though that was the shortest route to the Promised Land. God said, “If the people are faced with a battle, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led them in a roundabout way’ (Exodus 13:17-18 NLT). God sees the end from the beginning, and He’s leading us in a roundabout kind of way too. Once we understand that, we don’t need to complain. When Israel grumbled, ‘the Lord’s anger blazed…and…he destroyed some of the people’ (Numbers 11:1 NLT). Author and teacher Dr Dale A. Robbins writes: ‘They refused to trust Him to provide, protect, and direct their lives…The whole premise of Christianity is Jesus becomes the “boss” of our circumstances. We’re in His hands. If believers complain, it becomes an accusation against the Lord to whom we’ve trusted our lives, and He “[hears] all your complaints against him” (Exodus 16:8 NLT).’ When we go through tough times, we shouldn’t resort to complaining. Instead we can praise God in spite of what’s happening. ‘Be thankful in all circumstances’ (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT). Thanksgiving is the opposite of complaining. It expresses appreciation for everything God has done and what He promises to do, and shows confidence that He’s in charge. The Psalmist said, ‘Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and…in the day of trouble; I will deliver you’ (Psalm 50:14-15 AMP).

What now?
Get out yesterday’s complaint paper. For each complaint you’ve written down, pray instead that God will help you to see the positive in the situation, and will help to turn your complaining into thanking.