a phrase used to indicate that we refuse to defend a claim we've made---in other words, that we refuse to offer reasons that what we've said is true

Complaining is to express grief, pain, or discontent.

Complaining is usually what hypocritical people do when something displeases them. They would rather use a verbal indication to express their displeasure of a certain thing, rather than taking a stand and doing something about it.

What in your life do you complain about?

Pictures of a smaller house (starter home)

Being alone

Married

Job

Money

Church

As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, 11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12 Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

Exodus 14:10-12

Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.”

Exodus 16:8

Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 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

Dr. Travis Bradberry

Repeated complaining hardwires brain do more complaining.

Find it easier to be negative than positive.

If You Can Change Your Circumstances, Do Something About It.

If You Can’t Change Your Circumstances, Change Your Perspective.

But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. 18 Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.

Philippians 2:17-18

And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. 13 For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. Philippians 1:12-13

Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies. 5 He fills my life with good things. Psalms 103:2-5

Life Group Questions:

1. Have you ever went on vacation and found yourself or one of your family members complaining?

2. What do you complain about most?

3. When you think about what you complain about most, do you need to change your circumstances or your perspective?

4. Read Philippians 1:12-13. How could you, like Paul, flip your perspective about the struggles your facing?

5. What are some blessings you haven’t been grateful for lately?

6. How can you turn these blessings into gratitude toward God more regularly?