Grumbling and complaining seems to be a normal thing for many to do. And that includes we who should be the most thankful. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (Phil. 2:14-14 NLT)
The section of Scripture I will be preaching on this Sunday is filled with grumbling and complaining. I found 9-count them 9!-instances of grumbling and complaining. Those 9 were just introductions to even more. Miriam. Aaron. 10 of the 12 spies. It is like the world of the Israelites was awash with it. Tragically, so are many of us.
I am going to do more this week than just preach about grumbling and complaining. With the help of a book by Jon Gordon called The No Complaining Rule, I also plan to share some thoughts on Five Things to Do Instead of Complaining. I will share them in Monday’s post. I’d like to invite you to join us in person this week at 9:00 and 10:45. If you cannot be here please join us via live stream. You can catch them on YouTube or on our website during the week. You can send a request to our Facebook Group at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship or view our public page at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship-Spencer, IN. You may also watch via our YouTube channel at Owen Valley Christian Fellowship. If you happen to watch, would you mind letting us know? No pressure. I promise. I look forward to hearing from you.
I look forward to reading your Monday post with the 5 things to do instead of complaining. I find complaining contagious. If I am in a conversation with someone and they start complaining, pretty soon I realize I am complaining, too. Back in the early 2000 someone came up with the idea of a challenge to go 21 days without complaining (or gossiping or criticizing). It started with a guy who wrote about a book about it and had these bracelets to aid in the process. If you complained, you switched the bracelet to the other side and the goal is to go 21 days (since that’s the general amount of time to make or break a habit). We tried it with some limited success, but I will be interested to see what your ideas are. Blessings on your message!
Thanks Pam. I will look forward to sharing them and to hear your thoughts on them.
Looking forward to your recap on Monday, Bill. Blessings for a great sermon and service on Sunday!
Thanks Martha. I am praying for a rich outpouring of God’s blessings as we consider going “complaint free.”