We all have the tendency to talk to ourselves that way from time to time, don’t we? If you’re not sure, listen to what goes on in the Thought Closets of some women you might know… “This church never listens to my ideas.” “My mother-in-law is so annoying.” “That meal was too salty.” “I have nothing to wear.” “My house is way too small.” “Our car is old.” “He watches too much football.” “She is so disorganized.” “That preacher is boring.” Whew! It’s highly unpleasant to read those phrases, isn’t it? Yet, those statements symbolize what we often stow away in our Thought Closets.

Those toxic phrases represent what we sound like when we choose to grumble. Sometimes we grumble out of habit. We’ve simply conditioned ourselves to see the worst in everything and announce it to everyone! Maybe we have a more naturally pessimistic personality so it’s natural for us to bring out the negative. Or maybe we grew up with a parent who tended toward negativity, and now we are quick to complain and murmur.

Whether it is habit, disposition or upbringing that contributes to grumbling, the real root is selfishness. The Apostle Paul tells us to do nothing out of selfishness. (Phil. 2: 3) But rather do everything with humility of mind. My friend, humility never complains. Only pride complains. Selflessness never grumbles. Only selfishness grumbles. We are to act with humility of mind, not selfishness.

Complaining always reveals a lack of humbleness and plenty of self-centeredness. Complaining doesn’t flow from a Thought Closet where God is the center. Our grumbles are simply because we are self focused rather than God focused. That was certainly the ultimate cause of the Israelites complaining. Throughout the book of Numbers, the Israelites grumbled about how hard their trip was; how they wished they could go back to Egypt; how there wasn’t enough food, how they didn’t like the food they got; the water was bitter, there was no water… blah, blah, blah! Ugh! They had so much complaining in their thought closets that they were wardrobed with the ugly garb of rebellion, and the ill fitting frock of discontent.

Before we get too judgmental toward those ancient complainers though, review what you grumble about. Are your grumbles more justified than theirs were? Mine aren’t. Complaining reflects a sense of entitlement rather than a spirit of gratefulness. If we grow smaller in our own thought closets, God can take His rightful place. When we decrease and He increases, we become less grumbly and more grateful. And our lives are wardrobed with His Life.

So, my friend, let’s purge our thought closets of the negative, self-centered complaints so our lives will be wardrobed with the fruit of gratefulness and our countenances will glow with gratitude.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” (Phil 2:14-15, NIV)