Pastor column: Five ways to deal with a complaining attitude
A complaining attitude hinders God’s spiritual work in our lives. Paul taught that life’s troubles can bring change and produce godly character in us. He wrote “… we also exult [rejoice] in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4).
What Paul is saying is when troubles come, we learn to endure, and through endurance we are matured in our character. Then, as we see God sustain us in tough times, we can rest in the knowledge He’s in control and will see us through.
Paul says Christians can rejoice in the troubled times. Why? Because of the word “knowing.” When trials show up, we know God is working His will in our lives to produce in us Christlikeness.
The word “tribulations” means “pressure." There are times when life exerts pressure on us. We know it takes pressure to produce Christlikeness. Pressure is the process used to turn coal into diamonds, and it’s pressure in our lives that reveals more of the image of God.
We can rejoice in trouble by remembering what Paul wrote, “… we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). With that in mind, it is easier to endure the tough days − to breakthrough and not breakdown.
Here is how to heal a complaining attitude
Five ways to deal with a complaining attitude:
Remember your troubles didn’t take God by surprise. He is still in control. David confessed, “… this I will know that God is for me” (Psalm 56:9).
Believe God has a solution for your troubles. Psalm 46 tells us, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (vs. 1).
Pray, expressing your confident faith in God, His Word and His purpose for you. Psalm 84 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does He withhold from those whose walk is blameless” (vs. 11).
Wait expectantly, trusting that the Lord will work His will and way in you and through you. When King David needed to stand firm, trusting the Lord, he talked to himself, “My soul, wait in silence for God only, For my hope is from Him” (Psalms 62:5). There are times we need to do the same.
Praise the Lord, thank Him for His care, love, and answer − even before He acts. Psalms 103 declares, “Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits - who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s” (vs. 2-5).
Putting the above into practice will give God the opportunity to work in us and in our situation.
Rev. J. Patrick Street is the lead pastor of Redeemer Church in Marion. He can be reached at coachpatstreet@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Five ways to deal with a complaining attitude
