Grumbling your way into Gratefulness

Grumbling, we have all done it. According to the Oxford Dictionary, to grumble means "complain about something in a bad tempered way; to complain." Some synonyms for grumble are fuss, gripe groan, moan, find fault, mutter, grunt, sputter, whine, gnarl, and snap, just to name a few.

We grumble when tell others about how we hate the weather, how bad the traffic was, we talk about politicians badly, how horrible the economy is and how we hate having to pay $8-10 for eggs, we complain about how our children are misbehaving, our money is acting funny, how our spouses do not listen, how our bosses are annoying and we hate having to get up to go to our jobs every day, and the list goes on and on and on.

Sometimes grumbling is internal. Grumbling and complaining out loud is obvious. We can easily identify when others are complaining, but not really identify our own internal grumbling. It is not what we say out loud to other people, it is a posture of our heart. We think that because no one can hear the things under our breath that we are safe, but God sees and hears our internal chatter. We complain and say things to ourselves and others that are against God's workings. Here are some things to think about before you complain about something.

Powerful lessons to harness regarding grumbling

Grumbling darkens our witness. It is hard to be a light to unbelievers when you are complaining.

"Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God], so that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and spiritually perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world." (Philippians 2:14-15)

Grumbling reflects a heart that does not trust in God's provision and can lead to destruction.

"And do not murmur [in unwarranted discontent] as some of them did—and were destroyed by the destroyer." (1Corinthians 10:10)

Grumbling is ultimately against God. It denies His sovereignty. He knows what we need before we ask and He knows what is best for us and will allow things to happen for our own good.

"And in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, for He hears your murmurings against the Lord. What are we, that you murmur and rebel against us? Moses said, ‘This will happen when the Lord gives you meat to eat in the evening, and enough bread to satisfy you in the morning; for the Lord hears your murmurings which you murmur against Him. What are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against the Lord.’" (Exodus 16:7-8)

Grumbling about others, including those God has allowed to come into leadership can lead to God judging you.

"Do not complain against one another, believers, so that you will not be judged [for it]; look! The Judge is standing right at the door." (James 5:9)

Grumbling eats away at your faith and shows faithlessness. You cannot believe, have faith and grumble internally all at the same time. Faith and grumbling cannot coexist. Grumbling stems from doubt in God's ability, sovereignty and God's complete awesomeness.

"But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him." (Hebrews 11:6)

Grumbling causes limitations. You limit what God can and will do in your life. It is hard to see beyond your circumstances when you are complaining in your mind. So you think, so you are. Just as Jesus could not perform any miracles in His hometown because of unbelief, grumbling will limit what God can do in our own lives.

"And He could not do a miracle there at all, because of their unbelief; except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. He wondered at their unbelief. And He was going around in the villages teaching." (Mark 6:5-6)

Grumbling is a sign of pride. It assumes we know more than God. God resists the proud heart.

"But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore it says, ‘God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].’" (James 4:6)

Grumbling agrees with and feeds hopelessness. It is good to remind ourselves of God's faithfulness.

"Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]." (Philippians 4:6-7)

Gratefulness on the other hand is great! It really is an essential part of being a Christian and it transforms our hearts, strengthens our faith and relationship with the Lord. Without gratefulness our focus is on negative things which cause us to grumble, complain, be bitter and live a defeated life. We are not defeated. We are victorious because what the Lord has done. Here are some things to consider as you move from grumbling to gratefulness.

The opposite of Grumbling is Gratefulness.

Gratefulness brings peace in your heart. Being thankful will cultivate a supernatural rest in your heart. Being grateful shifts our focus from problems to peace.

Gratefulness invites God to intervene with His power. The power of God is more available with a grateful heart.

"When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the Lord and those who praised Him in their holy [priestly] attire, as they went out before the army and said, ‘Praise and give thanks to the Lord, for His mercy and lovingkindness endure forever.’ When they began singing and praising, the Lord set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were struck down [in defeat]." (1Peter 3:15)

Gratefulness is a witness to unbelievers. Thanking God in the midst of difficult life situations draws the world closer to a loving Father and our gratefulness shines as a bright light into a dying world.

"O give thanks to the Lord, call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the people." (Psalm 105:1)

Gratefulness is a sign of humility and thankfulness for all God has done, is doing and will do.

(The healing of the ten lepers—only one returned to give thanks.) "One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying and praising and honoring God with a loud voice; and he lay face downward at Jesus’ feet, thanking Him [over and over]. He was a Samaritan... And Jesus said to him, ‘Get up and go on your way. Your faith [your personal trust in Me and your confidence in God’s power] has restored you to health.’" (Luke 17:15-16)

Gratefulness helps us to be content. We don't have to have all the answers and being thankful helps us to keep our focus on what is important and God's ability to change things.

"But godliness actually is a source of great gain when accompanied by contentment [that contentment which comes from a sense of inner confidence based on the sufficiency of God]." (1 Timothy 6:6)

Gratefulness draws us closer to God and strengthens our faith. Being thankful helps us to depend more on the Lord. We lose our entitlement and our faith is strengthened.

"Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, walk in [union with] Him [reflecting His character in the things you do and say—living lives that lead others away from sin], having been deeply rooted [in Him] and now being continually built up in Him and [becoming increasingly more] established in your faith, just as you were taught, and overflowing in it with gratitude." (Colossians 2:6-7)

Grumbling your way into Gratefulness

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