Find Godly Accountability

There are four ways I have found to fight against grumbling. First, if you are a man, find other godly men. If you are a woman, find other godly women. Share openly about what God is doing in your life. I have several trusted people I talk with regularly, in addition to friends around the country. Men, look for other men in your church who can encourage and challenge you in your walk with God. Women, look for older, godly women who can pray for you and help you grow in the faith.

When you place yourself in relationships where you are held accountable, you put yourself in contact with God’s grace. I have had many seasoned saints in my life who have been there and done that in my life who speak into my life. Everyone needs a godly saint in his or her life, not only to help us grow but to give us a picture of what long term faithfulness to Christ looks like.

Regularly Read Your Bible

Second, cultivate the practice of reading and meditating on God’s Word. Paul urged the Thessalonians to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:18), and he told the Philippians that he had learned to be content in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:11–12). He knew suffering and hardship, yet he was thankful.

Look at Jesus. He experienced betrayal, heartbreak, and rejection, and yet He gave His life in our place. Jesus is not only our example but our Lord, King, and High Priest. He calls us to put sin to death, including our grumbling and complaining.

When we are satisfied in Him, our hearts resound with thanksgiving. When we are not satisfied in Him, we chase after other loves and idols, hoping they will fill what only Christ can satisfy. This is why regularly opening your Bible and meditating on it is vital.

Do not be afraid to slow down when a passage speaks directly to your situation. The Bible is the living and active Word of God that convicts us, corrects us, and points us to Jesus.

Grow in the Gospel

Third, fight grumbling not just with thankfulness, but by growing in the gospel. Jesus died in our place for our sin so that we would put sin to death. He is the ultimate reason we seek superior pleasure and delight in God.

When we grumble and complain, we are saying that God is not enough. We are saying that the living water Jesus offers is not satisfying, and that the Bread of Life is not sufficient for us.

If you are a Christian, you should feel the weight of that reality. Grumbling is not merely an attitude problem, it is a gospel problem. The cure is not found in willpower or distraction but in being satisfied in Christ.

When we focus only on our problems without turning to the cure, we discourage ourselves and those around us. A right perspective, rooted in the gospel, helps us see ourselves clearly in Christ and grow through our struggles instead of being consumed by them.

Submit to the Teaching of Scripture

Finally, remember that grumbling and complaining are hard habits to overcome, but Scripture helps us renew our minds.

When I wrote this article, I was grumbling and frustrated because my laptop was not working. I knew my wife, who works in IT, could fix it, and she did, but I still found myself doubting and complaining. Maybe that is where you are today, frustrated, angry, or weary.

My encouragement to you is the same reminder I preach to myself. Stop beating yourself up about what you cannot control. Take a walk. Spend time praying. Preach the gospel to yourself instead of rehearsing your frustrations.

We have a Savior who understands what we are going through. Because of Him, we can be thankful. We can praise Him not only when the storm has passed, but while it is still raging, because He walks with us and goes before us.

Our God is faithful and mighty to save. He is our rock and our fortress. The next time you find yourself grumbling and complaining, run to Jesus. Cling to Him and abide in Him. He is all you need.