Thoughts from an Educator – #1
A Biblical Perspective on Grumbling & Complaining
Trinity Academy Bible teacher Matt McFarren recently gave his Ministry & Missions class an unusual assignment: No negative thoughts or words for a week. Students were to document each time they slipped up.
The result? Lots of self-awareness – and lots of documenting.
“The assignment was designed for them to fail, knowing that we all wrestle with negativity,” said McFarren. “We all tend to be judgmental. It’s easy to complain.”
McFarren’s hope is that students will begin taking their thoughts captive in accordance with Romans 12:2: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Students say it’s been a tough assignment.
“It’s been way harder than I thought it would be,” said senior Henry Castro-Miller. “Like next to impossible.”
Castro-Miller says the assignment has caused him to ask, “Why am I always complaining? My life is great! Not only have we been challenged not to say negative things, but we’ve been challenged to turn the conversation around,” says Castro-Miller. “Instead of complaining about school or being busy, I’m learning to say, ‘I’m grateful that I have school and am involved in lots of things.’ Being busy is a good thing, so don’t complain about it!”
Senior Alex Page had a similar experience.
“I was more positive that week, because I was catching myself more than I usually would. As a class, we would call each other out on it. It was cool to see everyone in the class look at the bright side of things. If you had to take a test, you had to try to be happy about it or not say anything about it at all. Controlling negative thoughts was even more challenging.
“I tend to use sarcasm a lot which was one of the things we couldn’t do,” said Page. “We had talked in Ministry & Missions class about how sarcasm doesn’t translate into other languages.”
So is grumbling and complaining sinful?
“I don’t think it’s what God intended,” said McFarren. “All throughout the Old Testament, we see the Israelites grumbling and complaining. God has given them protection, land, provisions, yet all they do is complain about being in the wilderness.”
“James says to ‘consider it joy when you face trials.’ That seems to be the opposite of focusing on the negative. James’ mentality is that trials make us better, rather than stewing on trials and how life is miserable.”
“The apostle Paul obviously had reason to complain – beaten, whipped, stoned, and yet he rarely complained. Instead, he ‘boasted’ in his weaknesses.
“I think it’s fair to say God would rather us love one another, serve one another, encourage one another rather than focus on the negative,” McFarren said.