I once heard a preacher refer to Job as a complainer. Contrast that with how we react to adversity.
Admittedly, Job complained, but Job had much amuck in his life about which either he or we might complain. Anyone with a cursory memory of the tragedies Job experienced could hardly expect him or any other mortal not to be devastated by the extent of his misfortunes. Yet, “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1:22). Most of what affects anyone of us in life is far less than the adversities that befell Job, and we, then, should try as best we can to bear the adversities that buffet us, also without sinning or charging God foolishly.
Regarding physical things, we need to learn contentment as long as we have the necessities of life (Philippians 4:11; 1 Timothy 6:6-8; Hebrews 13:5). We must also persevere despite the loss of loved ones (Matthew 19:27-29; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 1 Corinthians 15:19). We may even experience persecution, suffering and death because we practice Christianity, but we must stay the course (Matthew 10:28; 2 Timothy 3:12; Revelation 2:10).
Often the ones who complain the most in life are the ones who have the least about which to legitimately complain. All of us, though, need to trust in God’s providence (Romans 8:28) and rest assured that God will make a way of escape for us in the face of every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
