Paul lived what he preached. He said, “Do everything without complaining.”
There are two important lessons we should learn about complaining.
First, if you can change your circumstances, then change them. If your circumstances are negative and you can do something to change them, then do it. You don’t have to go through life pretending everything’s OK when it’s not.
It’s not a sin to notice something is not right. Just don’t sit around complaining about it. Do something to make it better.
If you can do something about it, do something about it. But if you can’t change your circumstances, then change your perspective. Change what you say about it. Change how you think about it. You can choose to change what you see in those circumstances.
Remember, the Apostle Paul was chained to a Roman soldier. He was awaiting possible execution. His dream was to preach the gospel in Rome. Instead, he is locked up in prison.
This is what he says in Philippians 2:17-18: “But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.”
How could Paul be in prison and still offer praise and worship to God? It is because Paul regarded his life as a sacrifice. Even if he had to die, Paul was content knowing he had helped the Philippians live for Christ.
To put it another way, Paul was not the center of his own story. Jesus was the center of his story. I believe that is what allowed Paul to have a different perspective about his negative circumstances. Even in the middle of some difficult circumstances, Paul wrote, “Everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the good news.” (Philippians 1:12)
Paul had such an amazing perspective. He could see the power and the goodness of God at work in his present situation. He saw the silver lining in the dark clouds. He knew his God was at work. He was able to see how what happened to him was helping to advance the Gospel.
He said, “For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.” (Philippians 1:13) What an amazing perspective Paul had. I want to do a better job of seeing life from this kind of positive perspective.
Steve Greene is the lead pastor of The Point in Seymour. Read his blog at pastorgreene. wordpress.com or email him at [email protected]. Send comments to [email protected].