Lamentations 3:39-40 “Why should a living man complain, a man, about the punishment of his sins? Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!”

I have a murmuring heart. Well, at least according to the Bible I do. I tend to find a reason to complain about nearly anything. My toolbox is too small, I don't have enough tools, my toolbox is too big, I have too many tools, my apartment is too small, I have too much stuff, I have too large an apartment for what I need, I don't have all the stuff I should have, etc. I can find reasons to complain when it rains, I can complain when it is sunny and clear out. I can complain when my computer is working, I can complain about my car, my tea, my books, my co-workers. I am a master murmurer.

The problem with complaining is that we are told not to. Philippians 2:14 is fairly blunt about this. “Do all things without grumbling or questioning,” which means that in my pursuit of Christ-likeness that I need to stop. Instead of grumbling or complaining then, what are we supposed to do? Well according to Psalms 105:2-3 we are to “Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice!” And then to drive yet another nail into the coffin of my murmuring heart, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 directs us to “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

I complain too much, but it isn't just me that has a problem of complaining. Have you ever been to a church service where someone you spoke with did not complain? Neither have I. Have you had a conversation with good friends where you did not complain about something (directly or obliquely)? Neither have I. Complaining surrounds us to the point that we do not notice it anymore. Oh sure, we notice the sensuality on television and in the media just like we notice the foul language that surrounds us whenever we step out our front door, but we never notice the complaining. To me that is scary because its easy to ignore complaining and to pass it off as something that everyone does – because everyone does complain! Maybe we need to start looking at what we complain about and how often we complain. Maybe we are missing out on some of God's blessings because we are complaining and whining when we should be praising, rejoicing, and giving thanks.

This next week, why don't we make a special emphasis to curb our complaining and to increase our prayerful thanks. When we start to grumble about something let us make an effort to somehow turn it into something we can be thankful about. Instead of murmuring, let us find a reason to rejoice – my Savior has redeemed me and allowed me yet another day to praise Him. Let us test and examine our ways so that we may draw nearer to our belovéd God!

Father, whate’er of earthly bliss
Thy sovereign will denies,
Accepted at Thy throne, let this
My humble prayer, arise:

Give me a calm and thankful heart,
From every murmur free;
The blessing of Thy grace impart,
And make me live to Thee.

Let the sweet hope that Thou art mine
My life and death attend,
Thy presence through my journey shine,
And crown my journey’s end.