I love reading the satirical articles from “The Babylon Bee”. They depict a humorous and often true side of church life. A recent article influenced this thought. There are people in churches and every place who complain. Here are some thoughts about complainers.
- Complainers are often miserable people. The Bible says, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” A heart full of negativity will speak negativity.
- Complainers infect the atmosphere. They spread negativity everywhere they go. Others who must be around them dread their arrival because they know the poison that they bring. Don’t expect morale to be high where complaining is prominent.
- Complainers are quick to point out problems but rarely if ever have solutions. If they have solutions, they will not participate in being a part of the solution.
- Complainers thrive in the company of other complainers. They also feed off those who eagerly listen, even if they do not join them in complaining. Speak positivity and watch a complainer wilt.
The Bible calls us to do things without murmuring and complaining (Philippians 2:14). May we choose to be a shining light in the darkness rather than someone who extinguishes the flame.
Matthew Winters (Honest Thoughts from a Pastor) 
When we moved to rural Newfoundland, we discovered that people love to complain about the weather. They will often say : ” Miserable old day, isn’t it ?”
I grew tired of it, as complaining is a sin. I use an approach from scripture.
When I hear this complaint, I reply, from Psalm 118:24 – ” This is the Day that the Lord has made.” Some people smile when they hear this, others give me a puzzled look, and walk away. At any rate, I think the Lord asks us to try and let people know that complaining displeases Him.
Thanks for sharing.
I know a lot of complainers who hide under the guise of “discernment”. We need discernment very much, but there are Scriptures that modulate and contextualize even that. Discernment needs discernment!
I like that! “Discernment needs discernment.” So true!
So true. Thanks for sharing. I enjoy the babylon bee too!
Phil 4:8 “…..think on such things”
“what we think, we become” Buddha
Yes, I often remind myself of this!
Sounds very familiar!
Yes and the saddest part about complaining about complainers is recognizing how often I have been one. Thank God for grace!
So true! So have I.
I, too, love “The Babylon Bee,” and it is sad to see that there are quite a few people who do complain, when God tells us to go without grumbling. I truly pray for those whose hearts are filled with a spirit of complaints, for there is such joy and liberation in Christ, yet many choose to wallow in complaints rather than in the freedom of His grace.
Ugh, I hate being around petty people. the kind who criticize the service and the music and the speaker when you leave instead of praising the things they liked. Unfortunately, I have to deal with this often because a dearly beloved relative who does this accompanies me to most church-related events. My challenge is not to join in with the negativity.
I’ve heard and seen so much of these whiners you talk about. They make so much noise and never offer logical, common-sense solutions tto the problems, sometimes, imagined crises.
“Speak positivity and watch a complainer wilt.” Amen! As much as I hate to see anyone “wilt,” if they’re eventually replaced by a happier person, it’s worth it. (It’s kind o entertaining, too. 😉 )
I agree. I have been reminded about my need to pray for those in bondage to negativity.
Amen! (How do I “like” something on your blog?)
There should be a star or something similar to click.
I’m not seeing it. Oh well, I did like this. 🙂