A Good Report

She stopped annoying me when I realized that while she’d been delivered from the hardship, the hardship continued to dwell in her spirit. She hadn’t let the pain of her past go, which is why she rarely had anything good to say.

Finally, I was free. God used that woman to work out—loosen—my compassion.

I see her now, smile, and step back slightly when she enters my space. She still complains, no change there. But for the few brief moments I’m in her presence I compliment her, say something nice about things in general, and steer the conversation into safe territory.

Unbeknownst to my friend, she and I have come a mighty long way.

Conventional wisdom dictates that chronic complaining requires action. Stop the whining, we’ll say, and make a change.It’s really that simple; or is it?

Oprah always says, “When we know better, we do better.” The truth is people given to chronic complaining don’t know better. They do what they do because it’s all they know.

Chronic Christian complainers, including me, really don’t have an excuse. According to Philippians 4: 8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.” We’re to think on these things that edify and encourage our spirits. And, in all things—the good, bad, and ugly—we’re to give thanks.

The occasional vent is permissible and probable. There is nothing written in Scripture prohibiting us from getting a few things off of our chests. We can vent.

Yet we are prohibited from finding fault in all people and circumstances, which is chronic complaining. It’s our good report or the good we find in all things that brings God the greatest glory.

Plus, chronic complaining is the antithesis of a good report and it negates the value of God and his works.The complaints, in effect, tell him we’re ungrateful and unappreciative for all he does. The complaints, in effect, tell the world and those listening to our complaints that there’s nothing good about our God. He receives no glory whatsoever from grumbling and groaning.