COMPLAINING

Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing presented the Bible study at the Michigan District convention in June. He has put together a very interesting study of Philippians. It is available for download at the Michigan District website:

I found the section on complaining to be very helpful:

Philippians 2:12-13
“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have
always obeyed-- not only in my presence,
but now much more in my absence–
continue to work out your (plural) soteria
with fear and trembling, for it is God who
works in you to will and to act according
to his good purpose.”

Philippians 2:14-15
“Do everything without goggusmon or
arguing, so that you may become
blameless and pure, children of God
without fault in a crooked and depraved
generation, in which you shine like stars
in the universe.”

THE FOUR COMMON TYPES OF COMPLAINERS

• The Whiner - “It’s Not Fair!”

“It would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the desert!” (Exodus 14:12)

• The Martyr - “No One Appreciates Me!”

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘Why pick on me, to give me the burden of a people like this? I can’t carry this nation by myself! ... If you’re going to treat me like this, please kill me right now - it will be a kindness! Let me out of this impossible situation!’” (Numbers 11:11-15)

• The Cynic - “Nothing Will Ever Change!”

“But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” (Numbers 11:6)

• The Perfectionist - “Is That Your Best?”

“But the people were thirsty for water there, and they grumbled against Moses. They said, ‘Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst.’” (Exodus 17:3)

Which One are You?

1. The Whiner
2. The Martyr
3. The Cynic
4. The Perfectionist
5. All of the Above
6. None of the Above

HOW TO CONQUER COMPLAINING

Focus:

• Not On Where We’ve Been

“The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, ‘If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost–also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.’” (Numbers 11:4-5)

• Not On Where We Are

“They said, ‘The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim,). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.’” (Numbers 13:32-33)

• On Where We’re Going

“If the Lord is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us.” (Numbers 14:8)

Philippians 2:16-18

“… as you hold out the word of life-- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing. But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and have chara with all of you. So you too should have chara and chara with me.”

All Thy works with joy surround Thee, Earth and heav’n reflect Thy rays.
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise.
Field and forest, vale and mountain, Flow’ry meadow, flashing sea.
Chanting bird, and flowing fountain, Call us to rejoice in Thee!