If You’re Not Going To Do Anything About It, Then Shut Up About It!

“And do not murmur [in unwarranted discontent], as some of them did—and were destroyed by the destroyer.  11 Now these things happened to them as an example and warning [to us]; they were written for our instruction [to admonish and equip us], upon whom the ends of the ages have come.” – 1st Corinthians 10:10-11 Amplified Bible

Several years ago, I was on the phone talking to a mentor.  He simply asked me how things had been going, and unfortunately, that was just the opening I needed to unpack all my baggage on him.  I unloaded complaint after complaint about everything going wrong in my life.  Then suddenly, he cut me off and said, “Stephen, we aren’t doing this.”  Then he asked, “What are you doing about the things you’re complaining about?”  “What is your plan?”  “Have you prayed about it, and if you have, what did the Lord say to you concerning those things?”  

After stuttering my way through my answers to those questions from my mentor, he said something to me that changed my life…… “If you’re not going to do anything about it (the things that are going wrong), then shut up about it!”

That has become a nugget of wisdom that I’ve lived by for some time. And I pray it helps you as you continue reading this blog.

Now I know what some of you are thinking…..and sure, it’s okay to vent occasionally. However, staying in a victim mentality about our trials and tribulations is not productive. Especially when we have victory through the Lord Jesus Christ as believers.

When we stay in a heart posture as a complainer, we are showing a lack of appreciation to the Lord for the blessing we have in our lives. It’s as if we have 100 things going on, but we complain because one thing is off. One thing is messed up. One thing is not how we hoped it would be. And we forget about the ninety-nine things going well to complain about the issue with one thing. This is what’s called faithless complaining.

When we constantly complain about life’s distress, we take away from the peace that Christ gives to those who put their trust in Him. Because, at that moment, we are no longer trusting Him. Instead, we are magnifying our problems greater than our problem solver (God).

We begin to doubt if the Lord will ever fulfill His promises and work on our behalf because we have made our circumstances bigger (in our own minds) by complaining.

We’re focusing on the wind and waves of the storm, like Peter did in Matthew 14, rather than looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2)

Sadly, this can lead to a faithless life, disobedience to God, and a lack of sensitivity to His Spirit. Ultimately, we could fail if we don’t allow the Holy Spirit to put a stranglehold on our tongues.

In the bible, we see a people called the Children of Israel who complained against God and their leader.  They murmured at every turn.  But God had a bigger plan in place that they failed to understand.  He allowed them to run into opposition so that He could show His glory.  The Lord would put fear and dread into the enemies that these chosen people of God would face in the future.   Could God have allowed you to go through some things so that others watching your life will see that He fights for and provides for His own?  Could it be that your deliverance from trouble will cause others to believe in God?

Yet, rather than have faith, the Children of Israel often complained. Psalms 106:25 says, “But they (the Children of Israel) sulked and complained in their tents; they did not listen to the voice of the Lord.” They were so ungrateful to the Lord that they wanted to return to the state of bondage that they prayed for years for God to deliver them from. They focused so much on the negative things they faced that they failed to realize that God used life’s good, bad, and ugly circumstances to fulfill His promises.

We must learn to humbly trust God, follow His leading, and keep a heart of thanksgiving throughout the process.

Unfortunately, we can’t draw closer to the Lord when ungrateful. As I often say, complain and remain. The Children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for 40 years until everyone over 20 died. (Numbers 14:29) Their complaining and unbelief left them stuck between what once was and what could have been.

What situation has complaining had you stuck in for years? What are you doing about the things you often complain about?”  “What is your plan to make things better?”  “Have you prayed about things, and if you have, what did the Lord say to do concerning those things?”    These are important questions to ask if we desire to be Godly agents of change in the world.  

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].”

There is nothing wholesome or encouraging about complaining.   If we look honestly at our country, state, community, families, jobs, or church, we will find that more people complain about the state of affairs than those willing to believe for the better and work toward it.  

We fail to realize that complaining tears down and discourages those actually looking to make improvements. It’s faithless. It’s miserable. It’s draining. It shows a lack of faith, and it does not honor God.

May we see the example of the Children of Israel and it serve as a reminder to us not to complain and be someone who’s always looking to find fault.

So, “If you’re not going to do anything about it (the things that are going wrong), then shut up about it!”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, we seek to live in a way that glorifies you. You’re worthy of all praise and adoration. And we realize that complaining with no plan of action of direction from you is pointless. It’s not edifying and stirs up strife. Forgive us for the times we’re ungrateful, and strengthen us by your grace. May our words be gracious and wholesome. May they be edifying and uplifting. May they bring you honor from a heart of thanksgiving and peace. May our words sow seeds of hope and anticipation to all who are listening. Thank you Father for hearing and answering this prayer in Jesus’ name, Amen.