Gaylord Diaz's Blog

What can you do to curb your complaints?  (C) GUARD YOUR EMOTIONS. To quit complaining you not only have to guard your mind: you’ve got to guard your emotions as well. Have you noticed how you tend to get mouthy when you’re in the heat of passion or emotion? You’re angry. So what do you do? You mouth off. You’re in a hurry and the car in front of you is really driving slow. So what do you do? You mouth off. You’re really discouraged and feel like no one cares about you, not even God. So what do you do? You mouth off. You’re in a jolly good, light-hearted mood. So what do you do? You get indiscreet with your words and you start saying things that you really didn’t mean for people to take the wrong way. I could go on and on, but I think you know what I’m talking about. OUR WORDS ARE A REFLECTION OF WHAT WE’RE THINKING AND WHAT WE’RE FEELING. Our thoughts and emotions reveal themselves in the things we say.

GOOD, POSITIVE, UPLIFTING WORDS BEGIN NOT ONLY WITH GOOD THOUGHTS, BUT ALSO WITH GOOD EMOTIONS. This is where the fruit of the Spirit comes in. I guess you know what they are: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, {23} Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

• Instead of being bitter, work hard to love.
• Instead of being unmerciful, work diligently to become merciful.
• Instead of being uncaring and unsympathetic, put yourself in other people’s shoes and strive to care and be understanding and sympathetic towards them.
• Instead of being rude or harsh, concentrate on being gentle.
• You’ve lived long enough being contrary and divisive. It’s time for you to learn to live in unity and peace.
• You’ve caused a lot of people a lot of trouble because you’ve been selfish all your life. Now it’s time for you to grow up, die out, and start serving other people.
• People have put up with you a long time. Now it’s your turn to put up with them and be patient and forbearing towards them.

A HOLY, RIGHTEOUS, EDIFYING TONGUE, DEAR FRIENDS, REQUIRES YOU TO BEAR AND MANIFEST THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT. If you’re not going to manifest the fruit of the Spirit, then you may as well quit trying to live without complaining. You won’t succeed without the fruit!

We can go on and on with the spiritual fruits and virtues that we need to acquire in order to rise above murmuring. The last, but not the least, of these virtues is contentment. Have you ever noticed how you tend to complain when you’re not thankful for what you have? When you’re not satisfied, or when you’re jealous, greedy, and covetous, what do you do? You complain!  You see, discontentment and ingratitude are what drives so many of us to complain. This, dear brethren, has got to stop!

IF WE WANT TO LIVE WITHOUT COMPLAINING WE’RE GOING TO HAVE TO LEARN TO BE THANKFUL AND CONTENT. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT LESSON IS BEST LEARNED, AND THAT VIRTUE IS BEST ACQUIRED, IN THE MIDST OF FINANCIAL TRIAL OR MATERIAL LACK.

Philippians 4:10-12, But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye lacked opportunity. {11} Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. {12} I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

1 Timothy 6:6-10, But godliness with contentment is great gain. {7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. {8} And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. {9} But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. {10} For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Brethren, when you don’t have what you’ll like to have—that’s the opportunity God’s giving you to learn contentment. HE’LL KEEP HIS PROMISES AND HE’LL PROVIDE RICHLY FOR YOUR NEEDS AND DESIRES. BUT HE WON’T DO IT WHEN YOU’RE COVETOUS AND DISCONTENT. HE’LL GIVE YOU THE THINGS YOU PRESENTLY LACK WHEN YOU FIRST LEARN TO BE CONTENT WITH THE THINGS YOU PRESENTLY HAVE.

When you don’t have the things you want, remember that’s the time to be grateful for what you do have. It’s the time to be content and not become greedy, covetous, or impatient as you wait on God to provide your needs. Want a sure-fire way to stamp out complaining? Be thankful and content! Maintain an attitude of gratitude and vocalize that attitude in praise, thanksgiving, and testimony to God! Let God hear your praises and thanksgivings—not your complaints. Complaints will move God to anger. But praises will move Him to answer. Complaints will add to your misery. But contentment will bring you miracles. Put me to the test! Quit complaining! Be content! Thank God in everything! And watch the Lord move mightily on your behalf! The more you focus on God’s goodness and praise Him, the less you’ll complain. Guaranteed. May God bless you and help you as you try to live without complaining. With God’s grace, you can do it!