Cure for Complaining

I've been complaining a lot. 

< sarcasm >I wouldn't have to if there weren't so many stupid people around who are making my life less enjoyable.  It wouldn't be so bad if I weren't such a good and thoughtful guy all of the time.  But I am.  And I think if I spent a post explaining why perfect me is surrounded by idiots, I assume I would easily convince you to take my side on this.
< /sarcasm >

Note to self, reread CCW's "A 12 Point Cure for Complaining."

1. GOD COMMANDS ME NEVER TO COMPLAIN.

Do all things without complaining and disputing. Philippians 2:14(NAS)

2. GOD COMMANDS ME TO GIVE THANKS IN EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

3. GOD COMMANDS ME TO REJOICE ALWAYS, AND ESPECIALLY IN TIMES OF TRIAL.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4; Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2

4. I ALWAYS DESERVE MUCH WORSE THAN WHAT I AM SUFFERING NOW; IN FACT, I DESERVE HELL.

Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Lamentations 3:39 Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3

5. IN LIGHT OF THE ETERNAL HAPPINESS AND GLORY THAT I WILL EXPERIENCE IN HEAVEN, THIS PRESENT TRIAL IS EXTREMELY BRIEF AND INSIGNIFICANT, EVEN IF IT WERE TO LAST A LIFETIME.

The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:19

6. MY SUFFERING IS FAR LESS THAN THAT WHICH CHRIST SUFFERED, AND HE DID NOT COMPLAIN.

Who when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when he suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously. 1 Peter 2:23

7. TO COMPLAIN IS TO SAY GOD IS NOT JUST.

Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Genesis 18:25

8. FAITH AND PRAYER EXCLUDE COMPLAINING.

I sought the Lord, and He answered me, and delivered from all my fears. Psalm 34:4

9. THIS DIFFICULTY IS BEING USED BY GOD FOR MY GOOD AND IT IS FOOLISH FOR ME TO COMPLAIN AGAINST IT.

And we know that all things work together for the good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

10. THOSE MORE FAITHFUL THAN I HAVE SUFFERED FAR WORSE THAN I, AND DID SO WITHOUT COMPLAINT.

…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, in order that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. All these, having gained approval through their faith… Hebrews 11:35-39

11. COMPLAINING DENIES THAT GOD'S GRACE IS ENTIRELY SUFFICIENT.

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

12. THE GREATEST SUFFERING, THE WORST TRIAL OR DIFFICULTY, CAN NEVER ROB ME OF THAT WHICH IS OF GREATEST VALUE TO ME AND MY GREATEST JOY, NAMELY THE LOVE OF CHRIST.

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Just as it is written, "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered." But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:35-39

Comments

[Beau]

Point taken. But in light of Job, the Psalms, the prophets, Gethsemane there may be a little reframing in order. Or at least some kind of nuance. Complaining has a long (biblical) history. Taken wholesale this sounds like a recipe for repression . . .

[Paul B.]

I wonder about the appropriate place for "venting", too. How can we express frustration without it being inappropriate?

[Joe Thorn]

You guys are kidding right? You are testing Steve t see if he will "complain" about people - yet again - missing the point. In case you aren't kidding I'd like to respond so Steve isnt tempted. :)

1. Steve confesses in the beginning that he is complaining a lot. It's fair to assume he's not talking about appropriate complaint(psalm of complaint, a cry for justice, etc.), but something closer to grumbling or pride.

2. The list he pulls from CCW should be read as a corrective to ungodly complaining, not a dismissal of every possible for justifiable complaint.

3. "Venting" is most often, in my assessment, a form of gossip.

4. Context guys. Can't we just read things generously, with an attempt to understand what people are trying to say, where people are coming from? This is obviously a personal, confessional post that Steve shared with us as a reminder of how to live with a more Christlike attitude.

Great post Steve. I needed to read it myself.

[Paul B.]

Thanks for the corrective, Joe.

[Beau]

I too appreciate the corrective. I responded out of a twinge of anger. I'm increasingly frustrated at people assuming that because they are saying dark, conservative (Piperesque?) things about God they are speaking properly about God. This seemed a blatant example of that. I really shouldn't have let my initial reaction blind me to the context and spur a response, especially since no one on this site has any idea who I am. That said, these statements just hanging out there (which they are, the context isn't THAT obvious) can be dangerous if not qualified. So I stand by my original comment though I should've kept it to myself. All apologies. Still love to visit the site though. Keep up the good work.

[Dan Barnett]

These "steps" are very helpful. Thanks for the post, Steve. The context, if you click on the link is very obvious. There is a big difference between pleading with God for answers and the self-centered (why me?) complaining this refers to. I learned today the importance of knowing that line. We 'complain' to God, but if we are not satisfied in him, then we will cross the line and become grumblers like the Israelites in the wilderness. Not trying to teach, but I really felt like sharing.