Life is hard. Life is complicated. Do you ever find yourself or your family complaining about how things are? “It’s too hot! Online learning is too hard. I hate wearing a mask! I don’t want to be my child’s teacher! I hate that everything is being cancelled! It’s not fair! Why can’t the stores just be open for usual business hours? I hate drive-bys! COVID is so dumb! All you kids do is fight with one another! Why are there always dirty dishes and laundry? Ugh!” Do any of these things ever get spoken at your house? Do you ever wonder what God thinks when we complain?
We are usually pretty quick to acknowledge that God is in control. Yet….when we complain about how things are, it is kind of like saying God didn’t get things right or He messed up. When sin entered this world, through the disobedience of mankind, things were no longer perfect. I want to encourage you today in the midst of hard days.
God has something to say about when we complain. Philippians 2:14 says, “Do everything without complaining or arguing,” Say what?! Yes, God says we aren’t to complain, period. Is it hard? Yes. There are times, if we aren’t careful to think before we speak, when complaining can become an unnoticed habit. This is a habit we need to break.
So what are we supposed to do? 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” So next time things aren’t perfect, or you don’t love them, pause and think. Don’t complain but give thanks instead. When we do these things, we shine as lights in a world of darkness! Let others see Jesus in you today. Together, one word at a time, with God’s help, we can give thanks instead of complaining! I love you each.
Resources
In striving for a touch-free church experience, please plan to print these activities ahead of time, if you plan for your child to complete them during Sunday services. Remember pens and crayons too, please.
Follow this link for a complete step-by-step time of Bible study with your children:
Samson Word Line-up:
Children’s Coloring Page:
Children’s Worship Song: