On a recent episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective podcast, Dr. Bengtson and I discussed “How God Views Grumbling and Complaining.” If you missed it, you can listen to it here [How God Views Grumbling and Complaining & How to Cultivate a Grateful Heart – Episode 343], or watch it here [Grumbling Blocks God’s Blessings]. When we address discontentment, we learn how to go from grumbling to gratitude. It seems we can find something to complain about every day. For example, I (Pastor Jess) complain when the weather is too hot or too cold, but when it’s “just right,” I complain about the bugs, the wind, the rain or lack of it, or the agriculture odors.

Learning from the Israelites, the Grumbling Generation

Discontentment with what is rather than what we desire, can rule our attitudes. The Israelites are a perfect example of this. They complained within days of the exodus from Egypt. Granted, they faced a great sea before them and a vast army behind them. It seemed like they had nowhere to run, and disaster felt imminent. If God could make a way for their freedom, then, why wouldn’t he do it again? Even though they witnessed the miracles of the ten plagues and walked away from Egypt as free men and women, they had short-term memory loss.

They had a grumbling problem that no number of miracles could cure. For example, God parted the waters and then they complained they were going to run out of food. When Moses took too long meeting with God on Mt. Sinai, they complained and built a golden altar to worship and to guide them. When they got sick of manna, they complained. When other nations had a king, but they only had God, they complained. Despite God’s overwhelming evidence displayed through his actions of his caring heart for them, they turned to grumbling instead of complaining.

We, too, can default to dissatisfaction instead of thanksgiving. It shows up in sullen attitudes, irritation, displeasure, or annoyance in our relationships with God and other people. We may wonder if God will act. Will he answer our prayer or not? Why doesn’t he move in this or that situation? Our heart may scream, “Where is he and why did he leave me here alone?”

A grumbling heart reveals itself in how we treat other people. Grumbling is an energy drain on those around us. People may avoid conversations with us because we don’t have anything nice to say. Complaining can come across as irritation about a situation, which impacts our interactions with other people. Our tone of voice may be sharper than we intend because of our attitudes about our circumstances.

Going from Grumbling to Gratitude Starts in the Heart

God desires a grateful heart, but we can become trapped in a grumbling cycle. The Bible is living and active, useful for teaching us how to live holy, be set apart, and choose right actions. To address the grumbling heart, we can turn to Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

It’s what we think about that matters and if we’re not aware of our thoughts, we can say things without really meaning them and be oblivious to their impact. It’s like the person who blurts whatever is in their mind without thinking about the ramifications on those around them. Feelings get hurt, misunderstandings happen, and we may inadvertently misrepresent ourselves as complainers instead of gratitude seekers.

 

 

How to Go from Grumbling to Gratitude: A Thought Checklist from Philippians 4:8

If we want our actions to change, then we must address what’s in our soul. The soul is the place where our will, emotions, and attitudes originate. If we’ve been stuck in a grumbling pattern and desire to develop a gratitude habit, then the list in Philippians 4:8 can guide us. With each thought or word spoken, ask yourself if it meets the criteria found there.

Is it true?

With this question, we discover how often we use “always” and “never.” It doesn’t always rain on your birthday, maybe just occasionally. Or you never hit the green traffic lights, it just seems that way, but it’s not always true.

Is it noble?

One of the definitions of noble is free from anything petty, mean, or dubious. Have you ever noticed how grumbling can be petty? Someone else may have what you desire and it’s hard to rejoice so you may refuse to acknowledge them and their good things.

Is it honorable?

Our grumbling thoughts don’t really honor God. In fact, they can accuse God of failing to meet our expectations. Let’s honor God with a grateful heart.

Is it just?

Just is another word for righteous. At our salvations, God makes us just before him. A grumbling heart rejects the righteousness God gave us because it reverts to the default way of life before salvation.

Is it pure?

In music, we can describe someone’s voice as pure, without a discordant tone. Think of complaining as the out of tune song in your life. Gratitude restores it to a pure tone.

Is it lovely?

Envision one of the most beautiful scenes you’ve experienced. Maybe it was a sunset or a pine tree forest. Now, picture one of the most desolate places you can remember whether it’s the aftermath of a disaster or a beach littered with garbage. That’s the difference between ugly, grumbly words and beautiful, lovely grateful words.

Is it commendable?

Complaints don’t lend themselves to admiration. When we complain about something or someone, they aren’t words of worth.

Is it excellent?

Some of the synonyms for excellent are spectacular, exceptional, exquisite, and marvelous. Isn’t it funny how we don’t use those words when we complain? But they lend themselves to cultivating a gratitude filled heart.

 

 

Choosing Gratitude in Every Circumstance

Life has its difficulties and its triumphs. We can view it through the mindset of grumbling, or we can develop a grateful heart no matter what we face by reviewing the “thought” checklist from Philippians 4:8 before we speak. May your day be filled with words of gratitude as you allow God to change you from the inside out.

We’d love to hear in the comments below how you choose gratitude over grumbling and where God spoke to you most today.

 

Even the Israelites had a grumbling problem no miracle could cure. Philippians 4:8 shows us a better way. Read How to Go from Grumbling to Gratitude and start shifting your thoughts today. Share on X Grumbling drains joy, but gratitude restores it. Philippians 4:8 gives a thought checklist to help us change from complaint to contentment. Read How to Go from Grumbling to Gratitude for biblical encouragement. Share on X

 

About Pastor Jessica Van Roekel

Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others.

Connect with Jessica:

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