Reset Part 6: The Complain Train
Welcome back to our devotional series on resetting your faith walk. Today’s link below will take you to an article about Moses and rescuing Israel from their enslavement in Egypt. In that story, you will see how God miraculously pulled his people out of bondage through plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, and then cared for them on their journey to the land God promised to them. Unfortunately, in spite of the many miracles and provisions, the Israelites were constantly complaining, and their lack of gratitude and trust in God cost them dearly.
And the LORD spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, “How long shall this wicked congregation grumble against me? I have heard the grumblings of the people of Israel, which they grumble against me. Say to them, ‘As I live, declares the LORD, what you have said in my hearing I will do to you: your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and of all your number, listed in the census from twenty years old and upward, who have grumbled against me, not one shall come into the land where I swore that I would make you dwell, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh and Joshua the son of Nun. But your little ones, who you said would become a prey, I will bring in, and they shall know the land that you have rejected.
Numbers 14:26-31 (ESV)
I fear our culture today has boarded the Complain Train, and that train is not bound for glory. You can see it everywhere, but social media has taken it to new highs by giving people a platform for their rants and a comments section for those who want to rant with or about the rants. This is a habit that God detests.
Please understand that there is nothing wrong with expressing a concern about something. When there is a problem, it needs to be discussed in a thoughtful manner so that a reasonable solution can be found. There is also nothing wrong with talking about a frustration with someone you trust and who will be honest with youus. Having a good sounding board to share things with is important, as they can help you look at the situation from a different angle. The problem comes when we continue to dwell on the frustration, hate the person or people who are frustrating us, or make it a habit to complain about something every day. Studies have consistently shown that chronic venting leads to negativity, depression, anxiety and damaged relationships, and the more it is practiced, the worse it becomes.
I have fallen into this trap more often thant I would like to admit. For example, I worked for a person who consistently acted in a manner that I could see was driving people away. Every day, on my hour-long drive home, my poor husband would have to listen to me complain about how frustrated I was, and the more I vented, the angrier I became. Finally, it reached a point where I felt I couldn’t tolerate working there anymore. While my venting felt good at the time, nothing positive came from it. Things didn’t get better at work, people didn’t stop walking away, and my attitude and outlook were pulled into a pit of negativity that affected every area of my life, including my faith walk.
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)
When we complain, we are not only demonstrating a lack of gratitude for God’s blessings in our lives, but we are telling him that they simply aren’t good enough! Remember that the Israelites thought they were grumbling against Moses, but they were actually grumbling against God.
What is the solution?
See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 (ESV)
When you feel like complaining, thank God for all of his many blessings, pray about the situation, and pray for the person who has caused you frustration. I cannot tell you how much my attitude changes when I pray for someone who has hurt or frustrated me. It is like a weight is lifted off my shoulders.
To make gratitude a daily priority, try these tips:
- Keep a gratitude journal of your blessings and prayers that have been answered. It can be a paper journal or virtual notes that you can add to throughout the day. Visit this journal every day.
- Start your day off right with a devotional or Bible study and prayer time. Talk to God as you get ready in the morning and ask him what he would have you do today.
- Set reminders for yourself to thank God for his goodness and to give him praise throughout the day.
- Pray for those who hurt you, and forgive them for their offense against you. Forgiveness is not saying that they were right or justified. It is simply saying that you are giving the situation over to God and letting go of it yourself.
- Make a pact with someone you trust to be each other’s sounding boards. Promise to always speak the truth in love and focus on solutions. Don’t judge when one of you jumps back on the tracks, but work together to get off the train.
- Put reminders around your home and workspace to remind yourself often about God’s faithfulness and goodness. Put worship music on whenever you can. It is hard to be ungrateful when you’re listening to or singing praise songs!
- End your day talking about how God blessed you throughout the day. Focus on the positive.
Although it may be difficult to get off the Complain Train right away, eventually, praise and thanksgiving will become your new habit.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
Psalm 9:1-2 (ESV)
Songs of Victory:
Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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