Gentle Reminder

Complaining is often a "diversion" from prayer.

We want other people to sympathize with us, or we need to vent—but if these are our "go to" responses, it may indicate fear

or a lack of trust in God

which should be prayerfully dealt with.

Moreover, complaining can actually fuel gossip and weaken our faith!

Remember the Israelites wandering in the desert for 40 years?

They were prone to complaint,

which is an unhealthy state of the human soul.

[See Exodus 16:2 for one example.]

Complaint impedes our vision.

Prayer is a much better alternative.

Prayer is God's way of healthy and holy,

direct communication

regarding any problem we may face.

Praise to the Lord, and absolute faith and trust in Him, can allow God an avenue to cure situations and build our faith—things which ultimately strengthen our relationship with God, with ourselves, and with others.

Whatever the issue,

complaining will not make it better.

Faith and praise to God will.

The human flesh wants to tell other people (who cannot help); whereas, the Holy Spirit wants us to respectfully talk to God about it (He is the only One Who can help). The negative report through people will continue to echo. God will keep your confidence and multiply His holiness through you. Which result do you want?

You start the chain.

Therefore, choose the right direction from the onset.

Remember, God sees the heart. God only knows. The Holy Spirit is your Helper—the fastest, surest avenue to relief. Go silent, even if you have to go through the door of pain and tears. Take it to God as your remedy, and He will bring you truth that sets you free and joy in the morning.

“Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” (Psalm 30:4-5, KJV).

"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31a-32, KJV).

“Free” in the passage just above means: “to be exempt from liability,” to be “release[d] from bondage,” and to have the “restrictions of sin [and darkness]” removed from you by God Himself. In Christ we are no longer slaves to anything or anyone. Rather, we are bondservants to Christ out of the unbreakable bond of love, because we come to know and understand that He loved us first. To be free (eleutheros) means that we are “free to realize [our] destiny in Christ.” There is no higher honor on the earth and all surprises can be calmly taken for we understand God’s will is prevalent and that He is all-present.

PRAYER leads to FREEDOM.

Praise God for sending Jesus Christ!

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Complaining is a "diversion" from prayer.

Prayer takes the matter directly to God—which is God's will for the Christian.

Initially, it may seem harder to wait on God than to run to our friends or get into works of the flesh (which don't work). But, ultimately, God will bring His rewards to the faithful which far surpass anything mortal man can do.

Apart from our Lord, we can do nothing (see John 15:5).

God wants to hear your prayers and delights in answering them for you.

PRACTICE THIS

Jot down three impossible situations from your past that God provided a miracle for.

1)

2)

3)

When you were in the midst of them, did you struggle with believing God could fix them?

Yes. | No.

Did God fix them, or did you fix them in your own strength?

God did it. | I did it myself.

Have you recently thanked God for these deliverances? Doing so improves faith for today.

Jot down three impossible or difficult situations you are presently facing.

1)

2)

3)

Document your prayers, praising God for the miracles He has given you in your life thus far. Praise God that nothing is impossible for Him and that He is good. Expect His goodness in your life and prepare to write down God's answers to these three issues. Be obedient while you wait: pray, choose not to complain, stay strong in the faith, and read/study the Word and follow God's directives to you.

Watch and see what the Lord will do!

TRANSLATIONS:

King James (KJV), public domain.

Definitions for “free” (eleutheros and eleuthero) taken from Biblehub.com, retrieved February 18, 2024: https://biblehub.com/greek/1658.htm and https://biblehub.com/greek/1659.htm