Today is one of those days when it is in vogue to complain about the weather. It is hot! It is humid. It is really ugly out there. We are good at complaining about the weather. But it is not just the weather we are good at complaining about. After posting yesterday’s blogpost I realized we are good at complaining about a lot of different things. We are a lot like Job who says: “Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:11)

I must confess I am the chief of sinners when it comes to complaining. I think about the things I complained about just yesterday alone. A stoplight light turned red and I complained about the traffic. I went to the Cubs game and Wrigley Field and complained about how bad the Cubs are and how expensive the food was. I read the news and complained about the politicians in Washington and Springfield. A complaint from Sunday worship was brought to me and I complained about people complaining. I could go on, but I think you get the point. I am good at complaining and I imagine you are not that much different from me.

At the end of the Book of Job, God confronts Job’s complaining spirit. Job responds by saying:

2 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2–6)

When confronted by Lord, Job’s only response was to repent of his presumptuous words and attitude towards God. He came to realize that the bitterness he was carrying was not serving him or anyone else.

If a spirit of complaint is something you are guilty of I want to invite you to confess this sin before God with me. Ask for his forgiveness and then for the Holy Spirit to move you to repentance. Ask that the Holy Spirit would change your heart of bitter complaint to one of thankful praise. Ask him to cultivate an attitude of gratitude and put to death the spirit of complaint.

The next time you sense that grumbling coming from your heart, mind, or mouth consider the following:

1) What is God teaching me to be grateful for? What is the lesson to be learned? When I think about the things I complained about yesterday, they are so silly. Why am I complaining about the traffic when God has blessed me with a car to drive and the ability to get around with such freedom? Why am I complaining about a $4 hotdog when others can’t afford 10 cent rice? Complaint will rise up within us when we fail to see blessings God has poured out for us.

2) How is God calling me to action? There are times when we will encounter a situation where we may have complaint against another person or group of people. We may have a complaint against a program or a ministry. Maybe the reason there is an unsettled tension in your heart is because God is calling you to action and to be a part of the solution. Often times if I am not part of the solution, I am part of the problem. Rather than complain about something you don’t like, consider volunteering to serve to make a difference. It is proven the more involved you are in something, the less likely you are to complain. In sports the biggest complainers are not the players on the field, but those who observe from the seats and on television.

It is unfortunate Christians are often known more for what they complain about than what they are grateful for. Christians are often identified more by what they stand against than what they stand for. How about you? Are you known more for what you don’t like? Are you known for what you are critical against? Or are you identified by others as one who exhibits love, compassion, and gratitude?

As you think about cultivating a attitude of gratitude you might consider writing some notes of encouragement and thankfulness to others. When you hear someone complain about today’s weather, share with them how everyday is a gift from God. But maybe the most important thing you can do is that when you start to give voice to your complaint, stop and give ear to what God is saying.

What are some other ways you might cultivate an attitude of gratitude? I would be interested to hear from you. Feel free to click on the comments link above to share your thoughts with me and others.