"Complainer"

She was just an old complainer,

And everybody knew,

You never should detain her,

Before her words were through,

She’d have you feelin’ worser,

Than you ever did before,

Because she was a curser,

And thought she knew the score,

“Bout everything and everyone,

And if you knew it, too,

You’d have just as little fun,

As she had it is true.

And then one day the Savior,

Met her in the road,

He showed her His favor,

And relieved her of her load.

And now she praises daily,

And won’t complain again,

She’s singin’, shoutin’ gaily,

And when did she begin?

She started when He saved her,

Now shining like a light,

Brags on the One who gave her,

Forgiveness, made her right.

If we stop complaining,

And replace it with our praise,

We show that God is reigning,

And His banner daily raise.

“Do everything without complaining and arguing…” (Philippians 2:14)

There will always be something to complain or argue about. But that’s not the point. The point is that we as Christ-followers behave differently from the rest of the world. We simply don’t complain about anything anymore and do not argue anymore. Period. Why? We don’t complain because we’re too busy praising the Lord. It’s hard to praise the Lord and complain at the same time. We don’t argue because we have escaped the need to convince anyone we are right about something. We do not even feel obligated to engage when we are insulted because it just doesn’t matter and neither is it worthy it. Turning the other cheek means we’re putting things in God’s hands. And that’s the best way to live.

Lord, please help us stop complaining and arguing, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Mikel Donahue, used by permission. Thanks, Mikel, and God bless you.