“Do everything without complaining or arguing” Philippians 2:14
Please read the verse again. It doesn’t say “try not to complain,” or “don’t complain so much.” It simply says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing.” The word that really spoke to me was “everything.” Because I want to obey God, I asked Him to help me not to complain. I told Marvin, my husband, what God was showing me about complaining and that I had asked Him to change me. Then came the test.
Marvin and I had been traveling for a week and, it was late when our plane touched down at Vancouver. I felt tired and grouchy, and words of complaint started coming out of my mouth — the luggage took too long to be delivered to the carousel, and every traffic light was red on the way home. The Holy Spirit reminded me, “Do everything without complaining,” and so I apologized to the Lord and to my husband.
Well, I’m a slow learner. I wish I could tell you that I don’t complain anymore, but I can’t. I can tell you however, that I am more aware of how often I complain.
Lord, we are so self-centered, so ungrateful and blind to the many blessings we receive from you. Amen.
by Katherine Kehler
used by permission