I’m Joni Eareckson Tada and lately, I’ve been hearing some complaining.
And it’s true. Not so much from unbelievers either. I mean, we already know the world does its share of complaining, right? No, I'm talking about Christians – my brothers and sisters in Jesus. You know how it is, we come out of church on Sunday morning picking apart the sermon, griping about the music, complaining about the stiff chairs. What is it? Maybe we’ve been infected by this culture of comfort around us; perhaps we’ve just slid into the same habit as that of unbelievers around us. Whatever. We Christians, we’ve become a group of grumblers, and we don’t even realize it. Worse yet, we don’t realize the incredible consequences. I mean, just listen to the book of Jude; starting with the 16th verse. Okay, listen to this; it says, “See, the Lord is coming…to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him.” Now after that lead-up, get this, it says, “These men [that is the ungodly] are grumblers and faultfinders.” Isn’t that incredible! The word “ungodly” is used four – count them – four times to describe not murderers, not adulterers and thieves, but faultfinders, grumblers, complainers.
I tell you, the Bible has a way of cutting through the mustard and slicing right through to our pride. We usually don’t say of ourselves, “I am ungodly.” But we are, if we make a habit of grumbling, complaining, and finding fault. It’s serious business, this thing about being crabby. How serious? Just listen to what Paul writes in Philippians 2. He starts off saying, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing…Then on the day when Christ returns, I can take pride in you. I can also know that my work and efforts were not useless.” In another translation Paul says, “Then I will be able to boast…that I did not run or labor in vain.” Friend, do you get what he’s saying? After all the work Paul had done to build up the Philippians in their faith, if, at the bottom-line, they were found to be grumbling or arguing, then Paul’s work was completely in vain – completely useless.
I remember once on a trip being with a traveling companion and, I tell you, nothing – I mean nothing – could please her. She didn’t like the hotel, didn’t like the food, didn’t like the hour we had to get up, didn’t like the weather, the extra meeting that we had into the schedule. She had started off fine, all focused on this being a ministry trip. What she didn’t realize is that God looked at her service as a waste of time, nothing of eternal merit. Why? Because of her complaining and finding fault.
Friend, I don’t know – maybe I’m speaking to you today, and if so, agree with me to put the complaining behind you. Life is too short; God’s blessings are too precious; his grace is too available; and there’s just no room for grumbling. And if you want my advice, commit these couple of verses I’ve mentioned today to memory. Like again that verse from Jude 16, and the one from Philippians 2 – do what I do: ask your husband or a close friend to tell you the next time they catch you whining or complaining. Find a friend who will hold you accountable! And if you need more help from God’s Word, don’t forget to write for your copy of “Bible Promises for Hope and Courage.” Wow, I love that title. Or you can just go online to our radio page at joniradio.org and ask for your free copy of this special laminated booklet. Grab a promise from God – any promise – and the next time you are tempted to complain, let that promise hold your feet to the fire. Instead of grumbling, choose grace. Because remember – life is way too short, and God’s blessings are far too precious.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 91376
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