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Articles
Complaining
Complaining I suppose is something that most everyone does to a greater or lesser degree in their lives, but what does the Bible have to say about complaining? Let's look at a few passages. The word complain carries the ideal of expressing dissatisfaction, which is a manifestation of discontentment, not been satisfied with something. Many Christians today have not learned to have the attitude of Paul, as is stated in Philippians 4:11-12, "Not that I speak in respect of what: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need." Notice that the contentment Paul had, was something he had to learn, how so? By what we may call "on the job training," by learning and applying the principles of Jesus Christ in his daily life. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me" as Paul would say in vs.13. The Hebrew writer teaches us the same thing in Hebrew 13:5-6, "Be ye free from the love of money; content with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail thee, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. So that with good courage we say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?" The Lord promises to be with us and to strengthen us, so let's quit complaining and start giving thanks instead. As Paul said in I Thessalonians 5:18, "In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." Let's count our many blessings, and give God thanks, and maybe our complaining will seem foolish enough for us to stop it.
