“Complaining That Clearly Accomplishes Nothing”

Tuesday, November 08, 2016

This morning, as I stood in line to vote, my mind was fairly at ease over all the matters pertaining to the election itself. I had already made up my mind how I would vote, and I have fully accepted the fact that God is ultimately in control. Consequently, even though I was in line to vote, I wasn't really paying attention to anything that particularly regards the election.

Instead, what I noticed was the chorus of complaints that echoed as voter after voter joined the long waiting line. With each successive complaint, I wondered, "Do any of us believe that complaining will make it move more quickly? And really, do any of us even feel better once we've voiced our complaints?"

It makes one wonder: why is complaining such a natural response when it clearly accomplishes nothing? Small wonder that God—who always watches out for our best interests—says we "must not put Christ to the test... nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer" (1 Cor. 10:9-10). To complain about a perceived injustice in the very same arena where God has clearly blessed us—like complaining about voting lines while we exercise our ability to choose our supreme leaders while most other societies must simply accept the hand they are dealt—is simply bad behavior.

It's ungrateful. It's damaging. And while it might be natural, it's against God's will because he intends only that which is best for you in every way.

- Dan Lankford, minister

Share