Complaining: How are we to address our circumstances?
Don’t we all know people who seem to spend a lot of time complaining? Don’t we even know people who have a reputation for being complainers? How can we avoid building such a reputation ourselves? How should we as believers address such? Doesn’t the Bible warn us about the consequences of complaining or murmuring?
1 Corinthians 10:10-11
10 Neither murmur [GONGUZO = mutter or grumble] ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.
This is referring to the time [Numbers 21] when God sent “fiery serpents” because of the murmuring of the people. Many died because of this judgment.
11 Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition [NOUTHESIA = to put in mind], upon whom the ends of the world are come. [Emphasis added]
The stories in the Bible of various incidences have all been put there to be a warning and a source of encouragement to us in dealing with all kinds of circumstances.
Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Emphasis added]
How should we as believers address the people and situations that tend to frustrate us? The simple but correct answer to that is with faith that our Lord and Savior will see us through it and even help us learn from it. Such is especially important when we’re being persecuted for the things we believe as God’s people.
Matthew 5:10-12
10 Blessed [MAKARIOS = happy] are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for GREAT is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. [Emphasis added]
Please notice that He says “when” not “if” you experience this opposition. Suffering from opposition is perfectly normal when you work at living by the directives of Scripture. You WILL be opposed! The apostle Paul gives us some clear instructions on how to handle this.
Romans 12:14
14 Bless [EULOGEO = praise] them which persecute you: bless [EULOGEO = praise], and curse not. [Emphasis added]
Then later in that same passage he tells us more. He there tells us how we’re to “pay back” people for their mistreatment.
Romans 12:17-21
17 Recompense [ANTAPODOMA = give back] to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest [KALOS = fair, right, honorable] in the sight of all men.
18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath [ORGE = a passionate negative reaction]: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. [Emphasis added]
Standing around complaining about the way you’re treated accomplishes nothing good, only bad for everyone. Furthermore, thinking and working to retaliate doesn’t help either. As much as we may be tempted to do otherwise, we’re to work at being kind in such situations. The apostle Peter tells us the same thing. These principles are not confined to just certain times in history as some clearly are.
1 Peter 2:19-23
19 For this is thankworthy [CHARIS = grace], if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
Yes, we’re to treat people graciously, not giving them what they deserve, just as our Lord has treated us.
20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
22 Who did no sin, neither was guile [DOLOS = cunning deceit] found in his mouth:
23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: [Emphasis added]
We must always realize that God is far better than we could ever be in getting back at these people for their actions. The mature believer refuses to make an issue of himself by complaining about his circumstances. Instead, he seeks to bring all attention to the Lord Jesus Christ who works all things together for good to those who love Him.
Romans 8:28
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. [Emphasis added]
It is actually God Himself who works these things together for good for us. Again, He’s far more capable than we are of addressing the matter in a good way. The believer who does otherwise and voices his complaints about the situation publicly demonstrates his ignorance of these things.
There are many illustrations in the Bible of where God used the suffering that was dished out to His people to promote them. The first such situation that comes to my mind is that of Joseph, the son of Jacob. Here’s a man who was treated unfairly at every turn. But note “the bottom line” to this situation.
Genesis 50:19-20
19 And Joseph said unto them [speaking to his brothers who had terribly mistreated him], Fear not: for am I in the place of God?
20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. [Emphasis added]
What wonderful memories I have of once teaching Joseph’s life story in detail!
The believer who grumbles and complains about things is failing to realize that God uses such circumstances to test His people for the purpose of promoting them into new areas of blessing. Could God be doing this now in your life? If you put yourself in a reactionary mode, you may never know what could have been for you. God uses people in wonderful ways who pass the tests of life through the application of His Word in difficult circumstances. But believers who only grumble and complain miss out on the peace and sense of joy that comes to all those who make the right applications. You may not get all the material blessings you’d like but you’ll certainly get the ones that count most—the spiritual ones.
Philippians 4:6-7
6 Be careful for nothing [stop worrying about even one thing]; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep [PHULASSO = guard, keep watch of] your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. [Emphasis added]
The apostle Peter gives us similar advice.
1 Peter 4:19
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator. [Emphasis added]
The believer who only grumbles and complains about his circumstances fails to realize the sufficiency of God’s grace to not only see him through it but to bless him beyond anything he ever imagined in such a situation. It is the apostle Paul who so well illustrates this principle in his own life.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. [Emphasis added]
When people grumble about their circumstances what they typically don’t realize is that it is actually to God that they are grumbling. Note what the Israelites were told about their complaining.
Exodus 16:8
8 And Moses said, This shall be, when the Lord shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the Lord heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord. [Emphasis added]
We have the record of God punishing His people for their complaining in Old Testament times. For information about God’s “discipline” of believers today, please see my article about it. You may find some surprising but pleasant information there—
Discipline: Does God punish Christians for their sins?
But in Old Testament times God’s people spent a lot of time enduring the discipline God put on them, even for their complaining.
Numbers 11:1
1 And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord: and the Lord heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the Lord burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp. [Emphasis added]
The word “complain” is the Hebrew word ANAN which means to sigh continually [Numbers 14:1-12, 26-45; 16:31-33]. Their complaining about one thing or another was ongoing as was the suffering God brought upon them because of it. The record of these things is given to motivate and encourage us to live obediently to our gracious Lord.
Again, Romans 15:4
4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. [Emphasis added]
But the Israelites didn’t learn from this. They continued right on in their constant murmuring about one thing or another.
Exodus 15:24
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? [Emphasis added]
Exodus 16:2
2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: [Emphasis added]
Exodus 17:3
3 And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst? [Emphasis added]
Is murmuring something you’re doing? Isn’t there a lot that we can all learn from these passages of Scripture? What will it take to cause us to learn that we have a faithful God who will provide all our real needs. Note what the apostle Paul told the Philippians about this—
Philippians 4:18-19
18 But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your NEED according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. [Emphasis added]
But please notice—he didn’t say wants; he said NEEDS.
But many people won’t listen to such reasoning. The apostle Paul faced this rejection of truth even as Moses did. It was then the deliverer of the message who became the object of the complaining.
Exodus 15:24
24 And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? [Emphasis added]
Exodus 16:2,7
2 And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:
7 And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the Lord; for that he heareth your murmurings against the Lord: and what are we, that ye murmur against us? [Emphasis added]
Numbers 14:2
2 And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness! [Emphasis added]
Numbers 16:11,41
11 For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the Lord: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him? [Emphasis added]
41 But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the Lord. [Emphasis added]
As you can see, the complaining was ongoing much as it is with so many people today. And this is by no means confined to unbelievers. Believers can be just as guilty of it and often are. I hope you’ll work to be an exception to all this. Let us always recall what we’ve been commanded regarding this.
1 Thessalonians 5:17-18
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 In every thing GIVE THANKS: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. [Emphasis added]
