From Complaining to Cooperation

Having a slight touch of autism means that I work hard to interpret the behavior of others. If someone is complaining, are they in trouble, or crying for help, or thinking they deserve better, or just having a bad day? However, the Word of God has been helping me understand many things, not from a human perspective (we tend to make excuses for everything) but seeing it from God’s perspective. This is what He says about complaining:

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, (Philippians 2:14–15)

For a Christian, complaining is not a godly behavior but a blemish. It essentially is denying the wisdom of God in the affairs of my life and blatantly saying that He does not know what He is doing, or not doing the right thing, and He does not care about my comfort.

The Word of God is clear: that is not the right attitude to have. It is shutting my eyes and heart to God’s love and wisdom, and not understanding His will. He allows all things that He can use for good, meaning the ‘good’ of being transformed into the image of His Son. If I need correction, He gives it. If I complain about it instead of cooperating with it, I stay the same and miss the point.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28–29)

God’s priority is transformation. Complaining misses it. Cooperation brings me into a joyful place of “I get it” and changes my reaction to the stuff that I once belly-ached about. 

This is like the disciple of a parent with a far greater reason behind it than wanting me to learn how to grow up: “For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.” (Hebrews 12:10)

After seeing God’s purpose for me and how He can use even hardship and tough situations to change my life, then the following verses (and many more) become my focus and my joy:

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly. (Psalm 84:11)
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23:6)
He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? (Romans 8:32)
And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19)
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11)

As the reading for today says, grumbling is evidence of little faith in the gracious providence of God in all the affairs of my life. Complaining reveals that I do not believe in God’s promises. Complaining dishonors God. It belittles his sovereignty, wisdom and goodness. It also thinks I know more about what is good for me than He does.

In other words, if my faith is strong, I will not grumble. Instead, I will remember that God is always good, not just when life feels good. And if I want to shine as a light in this world, then I must not let complaining obscure God’s gracious, all-controlling providence. Instead, I am learning to be thankful and obey Him in all ways so that His glory shines rather than be marred by my selfish pride. A passion for the goodness and wisdom of God is a passion to grumble no more.

PRAY: Lord, thank You for opening my heart to this reality that You are my Lord. You are good to me and are saving me and transforming me. You actually rejoice over me with gladness as You quiet me by Your love. You even exult over me with loud singing (Zephaniah 3:17). Whatever can I complain about when I am given the wonder of Your goodness and love!