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“I cry out loudly to God, loudly I plead with God for mercy. I spill out all my complaints before Him, and spell out my troubles in detail.” – Psalm 142:1-2 (MSG).
Tyler has one of the worst jobs you can have. Tylers full-time job is handling customer complaints. Tyler gets calls all day long from people whose sole purpose in calling is to tell you what they don’t like. All day he converses with angry, frustrated people just waiting for somebody to pick up the phone and ask, “How may I help you?” It’s a dirty job, but somebody’s got to do it, and in Tyler’s case, it’s him. There always has to be someone to call when you need support or simply need to get something off your chest. Every believer has a 24/7 365 days a year help desk and complaint department all rolled into one.
The Bible provides many examples of God’s people bringing their troubles and complaints to the Lord. We see this most notably in the Psalms. In Psalm 142, David says this: “I cry out to the Lord.” It sure sounds like he’s hurting, struggling and frustrated, if not overwhelmed. “ I plead for the Lord’s mercy. I pour out my complaints before him and tell him all my troubles. When I am overwhelmed, you alone know the way I should turn… ” (Psalm 142:1-3) David took his complaints to God.
The Amplified Bible reads like this: “I cry aloud with my voice TO THE LORD; I make supplication with my voice TO THE LORD. I pour out my complaint BEFORE HIM; I declare my trouble BEFORE HIM. When my spirit was overwhelmed and weak within me [wrapped in darkness], You knew my path. In the way where I walk they have hidden a trap for me. Look to the right [the point of attack] and see; For there is no one who has regard for me [to act in my favor]. Escape has failed me and I have nowhere to run; No one cares about my life. I cried TO YOU, O LORD; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. Give attention to my cry, for I am brought very low; Rescue me from my persecutors, For they are stronger than I. “Bring my soul out of prison (adversity), So that I may give thanks and praise Your name; The righteous will surround me [in triumph], for You will look after me.” (Psalm 142 AMP)
Imagine how happy Tyler would be if he had someone to pass on the complaints to. As believers we don’t have to worry if Tyler is in a good or bad mood, or if he showed up for work today, or even if he can help us, because when we have life complaints, we can go straight to our Heavenly Father. The Lord invites us to pour out our complaints or troubles to Him in prayer. There are times in our life when it pours and we need to pour out our hearts to God. Disappointments. Uncertainties. Worries. Troubles. Concerns. Questions. You should pray when you’re confused, and you should pray when you have complaints. The Bible says, “Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises” (James 5:13).
When going through varying trials, take it to God, not people (or social media). David took his complaints and poured them out to God, follow his example. Take your complaints to God thorough prayer.
Discussion Questions:
- Do you think it is wrong to complain to God? Why or why not?
- What complaints do you need to express to God?
- Are there things you have been complaining about instead of entrusting to God?