Would people who know you best say you’re a complainer?

Some of the best stories are told by that great story teller, “Source Unknown.” Here’s one:

A monk joined a monastery and took a vow of silence. After the first 10 years his superior called him in and asked, “Do you have anything to say?” The monk replied, “Food bad.” After another 10 years the monk again had opportunity to voice his thoughts. He said, “Bed hard.” Another 10 years went by and again he was called in before his superior. When asked if he had anything to say, he responded, “I quit.” “It doesn’t surprise me a bit,” his superior responded, “You’ve done nothing but complain ever since you got here!”

With the advent of social media, complaining seems to have risen to new heights and become an everyday sport for many, but with little to no positive outcome.

Complaining isn’t new to our time, people who lived when the Apostle Paul was alive were also known to have their gripes, and to make them known. So Paul commented about it:

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people,” Philippians 2:14-15.

It’s hard to live “… shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people …” when you’re constantly complaining, especially about the world being full of crooked and perverse people!

How do you put up with perverse people in a broken world until the Lord comes? James counsels patience:

“Dear brothers and sisters, be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who patiently wait for the rains in the fall and in the spring. They eagerly look for the valuable harvest to ripen. You, too, must be patient. Take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near. Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look — the Judge is standing at the door!” James 5:7-9.

Would people who know you best say you’re a complainer? Would you more accurately be described as a chronic griper, or one who shines as a bright light in a broken world?

Scotty