14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life--in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
When my kids were still in the home, this was one of my favorite verses. Indeed, I had them commit it to memory as no one likes to be around a grouchy, whiney, complaining child – especially a Momma! Grumbling and complaining from God’s children do not settle well with Him either (to say the least). Does manna and quail ring a bell with anyone? When the Israelites grumbled and complained over His provision for their lives it made God mad. Their actions demonstrated a lack of faith that He did not have their best interest at heart. As believers, we are to trust Him as He is forever trustworthy. His desire is for us to know that we know that we know – at a core level - that all He allows in our lives will ultimately be for our good and His glory – never one surpassing the other. That is the truth found in Romans 8 – another Scripture site that we would all do well to commit to memory. I have discovered whatever is stored up and treasured in my mind and heart motivates my words and actions:
28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:28-31 (NIV)
Admittedly, the “things” allowed are often not relished or deemed good rather it is what they produce in our lives that will be for our good. God is in the business of conforming us into the image of His Son and making beauty from our ashes. He knows how to take some of the most terrific atrocities and heartbreaks, orchestrating and turning them into something beautiful in the life of the believer if we allow. We live in a broken fallen world where sin was foolishly welcomed in by mankind over the perfection God created. Death entered on the scene. Make no mistake, believers are not the only ones who experience heartbreak and troubles – no one is excluded or immune from these human woes. Yet for those who believe, God redeems even the worst of our pain and sorrows. Our pain has purpose and our lives have a plan for them – we can count on it.
“These trials are just ‘tools’ in God’s hands,” said the Iranian believer. “Who am I to criticize the tools that God uses to make me more holy?”
"Somehow in the wonder-working providence of God, our worst problems become our best pulpits. God turns our tragedies into testimonies and our emergencies into evangelism. Our testimonies are forged and crafted in the trials of life, our pain has an evangelistic purpose, our problems become His pulpits, and the things that happen to us turn out for the furtherance of the gospel." Robert J. Morgan
In our verses for today, Paul allows no exception to the “no complaining” command by using the word “everything” (ouch!). Convicting to be sure! Isn’t it easy to rattle off a litany of complaints when we are even the least bit inconvenienced? To be sure, it’s embarrassing to be so fleshly weak! The antidote to a grumbling and complaining spirit is always gratitude. Paul tells us in 1 Thessalonians:
16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 5:16-18 (NIV)
"Cultivating a grateful heart is not just an add-on nicety, a civil tip of the hat to God as we steamroll through our day. A posture of purposeful, perpetual thanks to God is absolutely central to Christian character. It gives glory to Him. It is the key defense against Satan's temptations to despair, distrust, dysfunction. It protects us from sin and self. It is the hallmark of heaven. It does not exist in hell." Ellen Vaughn
“The best way to show my gratitude to God is to accept everything, even my problems, with joy.” Mother Teresa
"Gratitude is not an option for believers who want to splash in waves of grace...God commands His followers to be thankful. Some spend a lot of time wondering about God's will for their lives. We can be absolutely certain of at least one aspect of His divine will: we are to be thankful! We are to give thanks! In all things!" Ellen Vaughn
Believers are to be as shining as stars in the universe as we hold out the Word that gives life. A complaining spirit throws a wet blanket over our testimonies as our actions speak louder than our words. This brings disgrace to our Master as well as demonstrates our lack of belief in the One Who willingly gave His all for us. When we are willingly thankful even in the midst of trying, difficult, heartbreaking circumstances - through the Spirit’s power - we offer up a sacrifice of praise which demonstrates to the world our trust in the One Who controls all.
“I cannot understand Him, but I can trust Him. And so today, when everything physical and emotional in me is completely drained, and there is not a single note of praise in my heart, I choose to praise Him anyway. Not for what He does, but for Who He is. When I cannot praise Him out of joy, I will praise Him out of obedience. And I am learning that when I praise Him out of obedience from the depths of the pit, it is always more meaningful then when I praise Him out of an overflow of my heart from the heights of the mountain. And because I know His nature, and I know that even when I don’t feel it, He is still a kind, loving, good God, then I know that soon, He will fill my heart with joy once again. And the praise will flow easily from the depths of my heart.” Laura Black