Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.”
A grateful heart is key to trusting God and following His will. Life inevitably brings challenging moments, and during these times, it is natural to feel frustration and discouragement, with complaining seeming like an automatic response. This often happens when we focus solely on ourselves rather than placing Jesus at the centre of our lives. Remember, it is not all about us; it is all about Jesus.
Difficulties are not without purpose. If not for adversity, our naturally rebellious hearts might never seek God. When circumstances are favourable, it is easy to forget Him and become preoccupied with comfort and pleasure. God allows us to endure hard times to prepare and strengthen us for future blessings. For Christians, such trials are not meant to destroy us, but to strengthen and draw us closer to Christ, the Giver of life. If we fail to recognise the value of hardship, we risk falling into the trap of complaining.
As believers, while God determines what we experience, how we respond to it remains our choice. Hard times are opportunities to learn God’s ways. He warns us against letting complaints take root in our hearts, as complaining can be spiritually destructive. Instead, we are encouraged to focus on God. Daniel, for example, kept his focus on God during adversity, choosing not to defend himself but to trust God entirely.
No matter what circumstances you face, if your vision and purpose in Christ remain clear, difficulties should not deter you; in fact, they should motivate you to remain steadfast. In every situation, God has something to say, even when He appears silent. As Christians, our focus should be on God’s Word regarding our circumstances, not merely what our natural environment dictates.
Whatever your present challenge, stop complaining and focus on God. There is always the assurance of His grace and the promise that He will never leave us without a solution. We urge you to remain in faith and hope that we shall continue to meet in faith. Emmanuel!
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I leave all my challenges before Your throne of mercy this day. Let your name alone be glorified, in Jesus Christ’s name! Amen!