Denny answers:
Although it’s okay to share with God how you feel, your complaining should quickly turn to thanking God.
God knows how you feel, whether you tell Him or not. So when you’ve had a rough day, you can tell God how you feel.
Job, David, and Jesus all asked God, “Why?” when they went through painful situations (Job 3; Psalm 42:9; Matthew 27:46). But even if they did not understand God’s plan, they chose to trust and thank Him.
Job did not understand why God allowed all his children, possessions, and health to be destroyed. But he refused his wife’s advice to curse God and die. Job said he must accept trouble from the Lord as well as good (Job 2:10).
Job knew better than to complain that God had done wrong. “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22). When you tell God how you feel, make sure to trust that He is perfect in goodness, holiness, justice, and love.
Even when life hurts, praise God, as Job did. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21b).
Job knew that even if he lost everything and died, he could still praise God who lived and would raise him from the dead. “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God” (Job 19:25-26).
If Jesus has saved you from sin, you can also thank God, no matter what happens, because you are going to heaven and God is working all things for your good (Romans 8:28).
God desires you to give thanks for everything, good or bad. “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
So instead of complaining about the rain, pray, “Thank You, Lord, for this rain to water the earth.”
Instead of complaining when your mom calls you to do your homework, you may pray, “God, I don’t feel like doing my homework, but I pray You would help me have a good attitude and do my best. Thank You for the opportunity to learn.”
Instead of complaining about your sister breaking your favorite toy, pray, “I feel upset, but thank You for giving me a little sister. Even though I may lose my toys, thank You that I will never lose my home in heaven because You helped me turn from my own way and trust Jesus who died on the cross for my sins.”
Praying reminds you that God is in control, even about tough things you complain about. Praying helps you turn from complaining and give thanks to God. Even when life is hard, God is good.
Bible Truth
- “Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 42:11).
- “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).
- “The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. Upon receiving such orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose. The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted, ‘Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!’ The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. He then brought them out and asked, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?’ They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household’” (Acts 16:22-31).
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