No complaints

So is it safe to say that 2020 gave us a good reason to grumble and complain? It seemed like everything was a mess! Covid 19, political unrest, riots, and on and on. If ever we had a right to complain it’s now right? Have you ever been hanging out with some folks and you were all discussing the problems of life(complaining) and there was that one person who was just positive about everything and with every complaint they would have something positive to say? Annoying right? But after awhile of listening to them you start thinking “I guess I really shouldn’t complain. I’ve ate three meals a day, and have a roof over my head. “ James 2:2-4 says, consider it pure joy my brothers and sisters when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete not lacking anything. Complaining and grumbling doesn’t actually solve anything. As Christ followers we really shouldn’t join in with the complaining. We go through the same things as unbelievers, that’s true but the difference is that God is producing in us good things through our trials. If we claim to belong to him we should be looking for those things. Like patience, perseverance, maturity, a reliance on God and so much more. Complaining is like saying to God “thanks for these most important gifts but no thanks. I’d rather be comfortable without them.” The best things in life come through pain and work and struggle. A tree gains its strength by being blown in the wind. It actually breaks the wood fibers in its core and when they heal it becomes a little stronger. Over time it can handle more and more and is able to stand strong against the hard winds. If we are to be a witness to the world we need to be different than the world. When everyone else is complaining, we should be thankful. God is using these painful circumstances we are in to build us up and set us apart so that the world can see him living in us!! I’ve been guilty of complaining. You know I’ve never seen in God’s word where it says worship the Lord with complaining and grumbling. Rather I have seen worship the Lord with thanksgiving. Let’s pray for each other to resist the temptation to join in with the world in their griping and instead be thankful. Who knows, maybe we will help guide someone to Christ when they see us standing strong against the winds of life. Dear Father , help us to go against our instinct to complain when things are uncomfortable but chose instead the better thing. To be joyful and thankful to you for building us up to maturity!!