(Further reflection on “Patience”—Sunday 20-Nov-2022)
Grumblers naturally grumble. They tend to take the matter first into their heart before letting it spill out of their mouth and hands (actions). Since this might have been their habit/lifestyle, they don’t want or/and don’t know how to be patient. If they do, they are helplessly anxious about their patience. They tend to feel useless or insignificant as they tend to view patience as weakness. Grumblers find it hard to wait upon the Lord- sometimes even just for half an hour. Test it yourself. Be silent and simply pray for 30 minutes. Use a timer. If you are able, then praise the Lord. If you are unable, then you know you are inclined to grumbling.
Grumblers usually make excuses. They see themselves as victims of almost anything or anyone. Instead of hanging on to God’s steadfastness, compassion, and mercy, they hang on to their grumbling attitude or spirit on past unexpected situation or present undesirable circumstances. They are prone to whine about it over and over again. They do not seem to get tired of it. When they grumble against one another, they feel relieved in someway though short-lived. Grumblers are comfortable and good friends with slanderers/gossipers.
Grumblers would strangely like to leave their options open. They find it hard to commit wholeheartedly. In some cases, they are even afraid of betraying themselves. Instead of letting their ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and ‘no’ be ‘no’, their first subconscious choice is ‘maybe’** (see the endnote). And this brings them a good feeling or give them a feeling of control- at least in their mind. These people are called (cf. Proverbs 1:4; 8:5) the simple or naive ones, who need to be instructed/discipled. They are those who are "open-minded" as their ‘yes’ or ‘no’ are non-committal. Folks like this are praised by the world and are considered ‘street smart’. When they want to quickly gain someone’s trust, they are inclined to swear, especially when they want something badly.
Given the sinful nature of grumbling, one may wonder, What is the antidote to this fallen human nature? One word: thanksgiving.
Since grumbling is the manifestation of deeper sinful issues- likely pride, greed, self-indulgence, and impatience, thanksgiving is the expression of gratitude/thankfulness to what the God Almighty had done for us through Jesus Christ and continue to teach, guide, correct, mold, and shape us into Christlikeness namely godliness, humility, contentment, self-control, and patience on God’s will, plan and provision in the past, present, and future through Jesus.
Pause and think about this for moment. Can someone whose heart and mind filled with thanksgiving or gratitude complain or grumble about something or someone or even God? Examine your heart, listen to the words/phrases that come out of your mouth in the last 72 hours. Have you been grumbling about something- can be anything from the weather to traffic to God’s provision through the form of your current employment)? If ‘no’, which I doubt, but praise the Lord. If ‘yes’, I pray and journey with you. Immediately repent to the Lord and find time/space to confess to one another- your trusted or spiritual friends or pastor.
May the Lord Himself be our thanksgiving, which is the only working antidote to the ‘sins that easily entangle’ us- grumbling, and deliver us out of “the grumbling Wilderness” to the “thanksgiving Promise Land” in and through Christ Jesus, whose grace is more than sufficient for every weakness and shortcoming we have.
Lord, have mercy on us.
—
Pastor Lap
P.S. Happy Thanksgiving to those who are celebrating! **Endnote: This is not to be confused with the “maybe yes" and "maybe no” of those who are cautious and careful in their decision-making process. However, these people will say, “Let me pray and think about it for a week/month (usually giving a timeline) and I will give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’. This is wise and godly.
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