6 Things That Happen When You Stop Complaining
Spiritual Life
Audio By Carbonatix
12:00 PM on Friday, October 17
By Cally Logan, Spiritual Life
1. A Spirit of Gratitude
Gratitude is more than just being thankful for something; it is a choice and a heart posture to adopt, regardless of the surroundings. When we choose to be grateful, we let go of bitterness and contempt, and we dismiss the temptation to have a mentality of lack. We instead focus on the positive, remembering the gift and privilege it is to be in such circumstances. Much of what we face today is the result of what was prayed for, waited for, or fought for in the past, so what a gift it is that these are the responsibilities we now are to steward, even in their imperfections. The issues you face today are ones others ache and contend for, what we call a burden others would label a blessing. A spirit of gratitude will enable you to look forward, knowing that to call something good does not mean it is perfect—but it is still a gift.
2. Positive Outlook in All Circumstances
A positive mentality or outlook, despite the circumstances, will take you a long way. When you operate from a "glass half-full" lens, you approach life in many ways from a curious, optimistic, and creative perspective. You never know what might go right, what surprise twist God has behind the scenes, or what unexpected adventure awaits you. Complaining about situations chokes out this ability, but holding a positive mentality gives it life. This is much of what Jesus meant in John 10:10, that He came to give life and life to the full. It was not to say it would be without ups and downs, but instead that it would be a life fully experienced with Him.
3. Expectation of Joy (Chara)
Joy can be your experience when it is permitted to take root in your garden. Grumbling stifles the flame of expectation, but what if you instead kindled the fire? Joy does not mean happiness; it is so much more than mere twinkles of emotion. Joy finds its footing in knowing that gladness awaits. In the Greek language, one of the words for joy is chara, which means gladness, delight, or awareness of God's favor. Cultivating words of chara is not pretending hardships do not exist; instead, it is affirming that God has the final say and He is faithful to see us through all things. The expectation of chara is knowing gladness and delight is our portion when we follow Him.
4. Lament Instead of Complaining
There is also space to lament things when we stop complaining about them. The two appear to be synonyms, but they are, in fact, very different. Lamenting over something is allowing space to grieve or mourn, whereas complaining is venting or whining about annoyances. In Proverbs 13:12, we are shown there is a holy space for this: "hope deferred maketh the heart sick, but when the desire cometh it is the tree of life." The word for "sick" is ḥă·lāh-, which can also mean "grievous." There is a sacred space for this grief, even when we know it is not the end of the story. Consider how Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus, even though He knew the end of the story would not end in death (John 11:4). When we stop griping about something, we can permit our hearts to do what they really cry out to do, to acknowledge the loss or delay of expectation or hope.
5. Tree of Life
Drawing from Proverbs 13:12 again is the other side of lament, which is seeing the fulfillment. This fulfillment may not be the one we had originally considered, but that does not make it lesser. The Hebrew words for the Tree of Life here are, êṣ ḥay. This is the same phrase used to name the Tree of Life mentioned in Eden. Refraining from complaining, widening the path for lament, and firmly standing in belief of good to come enables us to taste the sweet fruit of êṣ ḥay. In a sense, such an experience is a glimmer of Eden for humankind. It is the gift and favor of fulfillment from our Creator, God, and it is life-giving. We miss this opportunity when we stay complaining.
Related: What Is the Tree of Life?
6. Encouraging Others
When we stop complaining, we are moved to help encourage others in the process. Although many matters of life and of the heart are ones to be kept private, some are worth sharing as we journey. This is not to air every detail, but in the twists and turns, offering to others the information and experience with the right sentiment can then foster in them to do the same. Optimism can be contagious, and something we ought to spread as much as possible. When we do this, we move others to see that all is not lost, this life is not one of mere toil and sadness, and that the time here on earth is fleeting and swift. What awaits us in eternity through salvation in Christ is the real reward and goal. Remember, as a follower of Christ, you are an ambassador of Heaven, and you may be the only example of Jesus someone gets in their life. Will you showcase the fleshly urge to moan and protest like a child who did not get their way, or will you instead lead by example of someone who believes goodness awaits? Remember the words of David in Psalm 27:
"Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.
Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.
I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord."
Remain confident that you too will see the goodness of God in the land of the living, and that waiting upon God is worthwhile. We all have moments of weakness where complaining can arise, but when we snatch those thoughts and submit them to God, what we experience is hope everlasting. That is your portion, and it is something you can experience daily when walking with the Lord.
