How Does God Feel When We Complain?

Complaining… whether we’d like to admit it or not, we’ve all done it at some point. Sometimes, we even complain about things that are actually good and we should be thankful for!

Students complain about their teachers, children complain about their parents and siblings, employees complain about their bosses, customers complain about service, husbands and wives complain about each other.

The list could go on. Complaining is found almost everywhere in the modern world.

But how does God feel about this? Does it upset Him? Does He view it as a sin?

Well… I forgot to write down His number, so I could call and ask, but here’s the best answer I could devise from the Bible.

Is Complaining a Sin?

Not all complaining is bad. There are good ways and bad ways to complain.

If you are going through suffering, hardships, or simply feel lost, it can be therapeutic to complain.

God wants us to pour out our complaints to him and tell him our troubles (Psalm 142:2). But He wants us to do it privately, like David did when he wrote Psalm 142.

He wants us to tell Him exactly how we feel, and what we’re going through (even though He already knows). In pouring out our soul, we show Him that we are relying on Him and trusting He will keep His promises and deliver us from suffering.

Complaining Versus Grumbling

God has a problem with complaining when we “grumble”. Grumbling means you are not simply telling God how you feel. But in some way (directly or indirectly) you are saying that God is at fault for what you are going through.

If you take a step back, it appears we are discontent with just about everything.

Your car, your phone, your food, your home, your family…

Surely these are all blessings! Marvelous gifts from the creator of the universe that he has graced us with!

But we forget… whether we’re just caught in the moment or take it for granted because we’re so used to the modern age of abundance.

Paul’s Teaching on Complaining

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may be blameless and pure, children of God without blemish though you live in a crooked and perverse society, in which you shine as lights in the world.”

Philippians 2:14-15

Paul isn’t saying we should never tell God when we’re not happy. He just wants us to understand that we should complain less, especially about the little things.

Here are 3 ways to complain less:

• Trust in God more. Sometimes, we doubt God and it can be seemingly impossible to trust Him. But letting go and trusting Him can remind us not to complain or be discontent.
• Remember and accept God is in control. Throughout the bible we are taught that God is sovereign, and everything happens according to His will. We are not in control and many of the silly things we complain about are pointless.
• Practice contentment with what God gives you. Even as simple as food and clothing may seem, we should be content and happy that we have them. Remember that all we have is a blessing and praise God.

God cares for us and wants us to express our concerns, but we shouldn’t blame God, or grumble about blessings.