As I have grown in Christ, one thing that has continued to amaze me is God’s attitude toward my complaining. I complain about a lot of things such as what he wants me to teach, who, and what He lays on my heart to pray about. I also complain to Him my prayers that do not have the outcome I want to see.
Every year as I read the Bible through, I am astounded by God’s response to those individuals who complained to Him. Two of my favorites are in the Old Testament, Job, and Habakkuk.
We all know the story of Job, but as I read it, I see the patience of God. For thirty-seven chapters Job, complains about how God is treating him. During that time, God could have stepped in and put Job in his place, but He did not. Instead, He allowed Job to pour his innermost feeling out to Him. When Job reaches a place where he has no more to say, God takes four chapters to answer him. Why did God use four chapters to answer Job when He could have stated “I am God, you are not, deal with it.”? God knew that Job needed to refocus his mind and heart. Being the all-knowing, patient God that He is, He knew the type of explanation Job needed, so He took the time to answer Job in a way that Job understood. The result of God’s response helped Job to realize that God is God, and he is not.
My second favorite complainer in the Old Testament is Habakkuk. As I read Habakkuk’s prayer in chapter one, I always think that he could be praying about my society. Habakkuk ends his prayer by saying “Okay God here is the issue, now what are you going to do?” Habakkuk’s first reaction to God’s response reminds me of me. God tells him what he is going to do and who he will use to do it with. Habakkuk is not happy with God’s response and about the people group God will bring against Judah. When God responds to Habakkuk, He does so in a way that meets Habakkuk where he is spiritually. Habakkuk’s conversation with God results in one of the most beautiful prayers in the Bible. His prayer ends with acknowledging that because God is in control, those who follow Him can rejoice.
I look at these two men and wonder how God could put up with their complaining. As a continuation of that thought, I wonder how God can put up with my complaining. Then I read Philippians 4:6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” God speaks to us through this passage. He tells us that it is okay to complain to Him, and if we need to, do it continuously. He does not condemn us for complaining but provides us peace. “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) Taking our complaints to God results in peace. What an amazing God we serve!