Transcript:

Hello! This is Pastor Don of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to The Kingdom Perspective!

Everyone knows that grumbling is the opposite of gratitude, but most are unaware of what drives it.

At the root of the grumble is unbelief in God.

Now, I need to be clear.

Grumbling is not the same as what the Bible calls “lament”. Lament is biblically condoned; grumbling is condemned. For example, there are over forty lament Psalms, and some of these could even be categorized as “complaint” Psalms. The Bible models lament but dismisses grumbling. They’re not the same.

So, what’s the difference?

Lament happens at the end of yourself, driving you to cry out to God.

But grumbling is being full of yourself (your own perspective, hurts, bitterness, etc.). You’re not open to God’s correction and training. You’re just upset you didn’t get what you want.

Lament is tenderhearted. You realize you desperately need God.

But grumbling is stubborn and hard-hearted. You refuse to trust Him.

In lament the Psalmist cries to God in his lonely distress, saying: “How long, O Lord, must I wait forever!” (Psalm 13).

However, in grumbling we don’t cry to God, but complain about Him to others—how He’s cheated, failed, or disappointed us.

Lament is laying your soul bear before God. It’s vulnerability.

Grumbling is proving yourself right. It’s refusing to take your complaint to God, while looking to others for sympathy.

Lament relies on God, and so leads us to praise Him.

But grumbling rallies others against God, leading them to question His trustworthiness.

This is why the lament Psalms do not end with complaint but with confidence in God.

My brothers and sisters, let’s follow that example and live with gratitude, not just an attitude!

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.

“How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I take counsel in my soul

and have sorrow in my heart all the day?

How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?

Consider and answer me, O Lord my God;

light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death,

lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,”

lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken.

But I have trusted in your steadfast love;

my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.

I will sing to the Lord,

because he has dealt bountifully with me.”

~ Psalm 13:1-6 (ESV)