Who Said It
James MacDonald

As a 27-year-old Canadian, James was called to pastor a group of 18 believers in suburban Chicago. Eighteen years later, the resulting Harvest Bible Chapel meets on three campuses. Pastor MacDonald is heard on Walk in the Word, a daily radio broadcast. He and his wife, Kathy, have three children, aged 19 to 15.

What He Said
What's the Big Deal?

When we express resentment over circumstances beyond our control and about which we're doing nothing, God hears it and hates it. Why? Because complaining is a sin.

Maybe you're thinking, Wait a minute; complaining may not be a great thing, but a sin? Who am I really hurting when I complain?

Yourself. When you complain you're choosing a response that does you harm rather than good. Our complaints may lead to anger, bitterness, and even depression. God loves you. He doesn't want you hurting yourself.

God. That's because complaining questions God's sovereignty! To complain is to say, in effect, "God, you blew it! You had a chance to meet my expectations, but you couldn't handle it!"

People around you. No one likes a negatron or a lifetime member of the cold-water brigade, do they? If your friends and family hear you complaining all the time, your "stinking thinking" is bringing them down. "But they do the same thing," you say. Okay, then, y'all are bringing each other down.

Adapted from Lord, Change My Attitude (Moody, 2001) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Teach me, Lord, to avoid complaining, since You are offended by the lack of trust it reveals.

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