How to Deal with An Unthankful and Complaining Spirit

Do you struggle with an unthankful and complaining spirit?

I know that sometimes it can be so easy to complain about all the little things---the children, the messy house, all the work that needs to be done, and so forth---it can be easy to fall into grumbling. 

But having this type of attitude harms everyone--including those you love most. 

Your children will pick up on your negativity and don't be surprised it they begin to copy what you say. It can sap the life and happiness from your marriage. It harms you because you can become bitter and lose your joy. 

It is like bringing a deadly poison into your home that spills over to everyone there. 


"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power."



What God says about complaining:


"Do all things without grumbling or disputing,  that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain."

"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear." Ephesians 4:29


John Broadus, a baptist pastor from the 1800's, explained it like this:

"An unthankful and complaining spirit is an abiding sin against God, and a cause of almost continual unhappiness; and yet how common such a spirit is. How prone we seem to be to forget the good that life knows, and remember and brood over. its evil-to forget its joys, and think only of its sorrows-to forget thankfulness, and remember only to complain. 

The ox will graze all day in green pastures, and know of nothing but the moment's enjoyment; and many a man will enjoy the blessings that are so spread out before him, the pleasures that are so thickly strewed along his path, and never have one moment's thought of the bountiful Being that gave them, that good and gracious One who is "kind to the unthankful and the evil." 

But then let trouble come-want or suffering, disappointment or anxiety, remorse or dread, and how soon he grows dissatisfied with life, how soon he complains of his hard lot, and murmurs against the God that made him...

 If he does not carry it so far as this, he will be sure to let this discomfort prevent all thankfulness. Now I say we need to change here. Our feeling ought to be, that though we have troubles, yet these shall not prevent our being glad and thankful at the many blessings, the more numerous and rich and undeserved blessings we enjoy. "


Do we allow our discomfort to prevent all happiness, ladies? We need to guard our thoughts while we walk about our home, as we raise our children and as we build strong marriages for the Lord. 

We need to squash that unthankful and complaining spirit and throw it out the door for good!

Once we take control of that we need to replace it with a deep, abiding, thankfulness to God that should permeate every fiber of our being.

Here are 5 Helpful Bible Verses on Thankfulness:

1. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. - 1 Thessalonians 5:18

2. Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!- Psalm 107:1

3. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  Colossians 3:15-17

4. Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

5. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. -Colossians 4:2

My prayer for you today:

Dear Lord, please help us to be thankful. It is not always easy but we know that with your strength that all things are possible. Help us to meditate on your word and know that it is truth. We will not allow our  joy to be stolen by thinking foolish thoughts that do not line up with what you have said. Help us to focus on our blessings and to live a selfless life of putting You first each day. Thank you for the gift of life and help me to glorify You today in my actions and thoughts. In Jesus name, Amen.