Overcoming A Complaining Spirit-Learning Contentment

Series: Overcoming A Complaining Spirit

William was a complainer as I quickly discovered when becoming his supervisor.

I once worked as a weaver at a local textile mill. After a series of layoffs, I found myself sweeping floors, but a fortunate set of events led to a promotion. Whereas I once worked with William, now he worked for me. But he and others weren’t happy. Everyone in the cloth room had slaved there longer than me, and William had applied twice for my position and been rejected. His complaints materialized into bitterness and work slow-downs.

I’ve been known to complain about situations too. Such as when I was hired by a temporary staffing agency to work in a local industry. I toiled just as diligently as permanent employees but received no benefits. Nor was I paid their salaries. So I complained.

Korah, Dathan and Abiram led a complaint rebellion against Moses. They weren’t content to follow; they wanted the reigns. They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron…“You have gone too far! The whole community is holy…. Why then do you set yourselves above the LORD’s assembly?” (Numbers 16:3)

Complaining seems to come naturally when things don’t go our way or when we’re not where we think we should be at a certain stage in life. Our dreams haven’t materialized. Others are getting ahead instead of us. But believing God has a plan for our lives-as well as a timetable for the plan’s unfolding, along with accepting his chart as better than our selfish one, will alleviate our complaining spirit. Contentment comes from placing ourselves at God’s disposal regardless of whether it’s where we think we should be. Let God’s plan transform your attitude and life.

Prayer: Father, we confess we don’t always understand Your map, but give us a spirit of contentment to accept it nevertheless.