Lent Guide 2023Sample

Tuesday – Murmuring

Do everything without complaining and arguing…

Phil. 2:14

A natural reaction when things don’t work out as I want them to is to complain (murmur). It’s sometimes seen as a noble characteristic and is associated with concern, to be informed, and to be courageous by doing something about it now – by talking about it. It is contagious, as we see in the story we are journeying with at present (Num. 13:32, 14:2). By complaining we say… I deserve something different (everything I have is not thanks so grace), I know better (there is no sense to what is happening), I am a victim (look how I am being treated), I can’t do anything and no one will help me (my locus of control is outside of myself). Paul’s instruction to the Philippians (2:14) is to do everything without complaining and arguing. Even the slaves are encouraged to let go of murmuring. This doesn’t mean that we should just accept everything and are left to our own devices. On the contrary – there is One who knows better. There is One who is with me and supports me in everything and gives me the strength to handle everything that I may be faced with.

Do I sometimes complain to gain the sympathy of others?

It’s important to me that others will see me as

________________________________________.

What do I need to let go of my murmuring?

Grace:

Lord, I ask for the grace of a life free of comparison.