Is it possible to go one day without complaining?

Originally published Sunday, 08 June 2014.

Do all things without complaining or bickering with each other, so you will be found innocent and blameless; you are God’s children called to live without a single stainon your reputations among this perverted and crooked generation. Shine likestars across the land. Philippians 2:14-15 (VOICE)

I complain a lot. 

I’m not really sure why because I have a good life. 

I complain when I am frustrated with something. When it doesn’t go my way. I am pretty vocal in my complaints. Generally, my husband gets the brunt of them especially since I work from home. 


It could be an email that sets me off. Or a phone call with a client where we keep misunderstanding each other. 

Complaining has become a habit.

A habit that when I think of quitting makes me wonder what I will put in it’s place.

I started searching the bible for scriptures I could memorise and learn to say when I feel like complaining. 

This is when I found Philippians 2:14-15, Do all things without complaining…so you will be found innocent and blameless; you are God’s children…Shine like stars...

If I needed motivation to quit complaining this verse was it. 

Living without complaining is one way to show with my life that I am God’s child. (tweet this)

Today, I’m starting my #1DayWithout project. I am going to go the whole day without complaining. 

Then on Friday, I’m going to wake up and try do it again until I break the habit of complaining.

I don’t expect it to be easy, and I expect I’ll probably have to clap a hand over my mouth more than once, but I do hope it will be transformative.  

I know that will need to embrace my choice to stop complaining. I will have to work at memorizing a bible verse when I would rather open my mouth and vent. 

Changing habits is hard work but not impossible. (tweet this)

I’d like to invite you to join me. Maybe you don’t need to go #1daywithout complaining. Maybe you need to go #1daywithout gossiping or #1daywithout saying mean things. Whatever it is, why not try it for one day and see how your day goes. 

Ponder: What, if you went #1daywithout it would show with your life and actions that you are a child of God?

Prayer: Jesus, I need you to help me break this habit. Give me the strength to follow my choices with actions. Amen.

{Share this post}

You can share this devotional on twitter by clicking here. I’d also love for you to connect with me on my Facebook and twitter pages or if you're viewing this via email you can leave a comment by clicking here.

Get a copy of my e-book Life, Life and More Life for free. Just subscribe to receive my devotionals every Monday and Friday. In the book I share some of thoughts on how to make every moment count, gleaned from my experiences of loving my husband through 18 sessions of chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant. You can subscribe here

- This was orginally published on my site in April 2014 to read more devotionals like this go to ilovedevotionals.com

SHARE