I don’t know what life is like for you right now… what the struggles are, the pain, the challenges. Or what wilderness you might be in today. But what I do know is that I have my share of struggles as well, especially physical challenges. In fact, life can throw curve balls and unexpectant interruptions… we can feel like we’ve been hit by a fast ball at Tiger stadium. Here’s the thing… it’s easy to complain. But our verse tells us that we are not to complain or argue. So, how do we handle these difficulties without complaining? Here are four things I do that helps me when a grumbling spirit is about to erupt.
Think of Jesus’ suffering! In fact, the writer of Hebrews says to “Think of all the hostility he [Jesus] endured from sinful people, then you won’t become weary and give up” (Hebrews 12:3). This morning, I did just that. I pictured the beatings Jesus endured, the physical abuse, and the nails piercing His hands and feet. I pictured Him screaming out in utter pain. Yet, He never complained, but He did it all with joy (Hebrews 12:2). He did it for you and for me. I thought… I will never know that kind of pain or abuse in my life. NEVER. This gave me courage to keep going.
Think of others’ suffering! Before I utter a complaining word, I think about the early believers and the hardships they endured… the real threat of martyrdom. Some of them were kept below the Roman Colosseum knowing they would be fed to hungry lions. They didn’t know when the day would come when they would be killed for their faith. Those days were difficult. I also think about the Christians living in countries hostile to the gospel. They don’t have the freedom to speak the name of Jesus and Bibles are scarce. They have to meet in private. There’s always a threat hanging over their heads. And I also think of people who live in terrible conditions. Thinking of these things gives me a whole new perspective on my struggles.
Lift my voice in praise! Praising Jesus solves a lot of issues… it can lift us out right out of the bottomless pit and set our feet on solid ground. It will change our perspective for sure. I will turn to the book with the most praise – Psalms. I will read them out loud. I will play praise music until the words penetrate my soul. Praise will bring us to a place of gratefulness and thankfulness. Our problems will seem insignificant.
Focus on biblical promises! Especially the promises about heaven. Right now, I’m focusing on the words Paul said to the Corinthian believers: “For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever” (2 Corinthians 4:17). The Bible is filled with promises… promises that we can believe. By focusing on them, our minds are transformed.
It is my goal every day to keep complaining at a distance. It’s not always easy, but by doing these things, I have greater success. I hope this encourages you today in the midst of your struggles.