To “gurn” is a saying in some parts of Ireland meaning to complain, moan or grumble. Some people, including some Christians, can be known for their gurning, be it about the weather, politics, or goings-on in the local community. It can be human nature to have a moan at times, and sometimes we do need to be able to voice our frustrations to those we trust, however, we need to be conscious that our Christian witness in our communities may be hindered or made more difficult when we excessively complain.
Would non-Christians we are trying to share the hope of Jesus with really be attracted to Him if we came across as dissatisfied with life and were continually complaining?
Paul writes in his letter to the church in Philippi, “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
Recently two mighty men of God passed away in our community. They both walked with the peace of God knowing that their future was secure in Him and they displayed the joy and radiance of the Lord everywhere they went. They had a positive outlook on life and rarely had a bad thing to say about anyone. They left a real imprint in the community with many people (even those who didn’t know them personally) enquiring what made them so unique and likeable.
As followers of Jesus let’s be led by the Holy Spirit and live our lives differently from the rest of the world! Let’s choose to see opportunity instead of obstacles, give thanks in all circumstances, and choose to praise God when the sun shines and even when the rain falls. In circumstances that are frustrating or disappointing, let’s pray first instead of complaining. Let’s pray when we’ve been hurt by others, pray when government leaders throughout this land are unable to work together, pray when laws are put into place that completely disregard the teachings of the Bible and pray when it feels like our land and the world seems to be shifting dramatically and is out of control.
Let’s be people who are attractive to others so that they would be drawn to our faith because of the way we live our lives with Godly confidence, knowing that He hears our prayers and that He is in complete control no matter what may be going on around us.
Father, I pray that I would be quick to turn my complaints into prayers, that I would seek You in all circumstances, that I would hand over the things that I have no control over and leave them in Your sovereign hands. Father, lead me by your Holy Spirit in all the conversations that I have, help me to be positive, encouraging and uplifting to all I come across. In Jesus’ I pray, Amen.