14 Bible Verses About Not Complaining
We all deal with frustration. It’s not wrong or sinful to feel frustrated or disappointed, but our responses can lead us to sin. Today, we’ll have an honest conversation about how to respond in these moments. We’ll also explore a list of Bible verses about not complaining as we aim to stay in step with God.
Be sure to read to the end of today’s post for a free devotional eBook to help you draw near to God.
Bible Verses About Not Complaining
Let’s see what God’s Word says about complaining.
Bible Verses About Not Complaining
1. James 1:19-20 ESV
Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
2. Proverbs 14:29
Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
3. Ephesians 4:26-27
Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil.
4. Proverbs 29:11
A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
5. Galatians 5:16
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
6. Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
More Bible Verses About Not Complaining
7. Proverbs 16:32
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
8. Philippians 2:14
Do all things without grumbling or disputing.
9. James 5:9
Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
10. 1 Corinthians 10:10
Nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.
11. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
12. Ephesians 4:29
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.
13. Exodus 16:8
And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”
14. 1 Peter 4:9
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
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Let’s apply these Bible verses about not complaining to our lives. I invite you to join our family in a frustrating situation, and we’ll draw four applications from these Scriptures.
Practical Applications of These Bible Verses About Not Complaining
We put the trip to camp on the calendar and crossed off the white boxes with eager expectation. Winter felt like it might never end, and we all needed something to look forward to. I was desperate for some space to step back and take a break from the everyday grind.
Wild places help me find my roots like nowhere else in the world, and I couldn’t wait to get to the woods.
At last, the weekend arrived.
We packed the bags, loaded the kids, and headed north.
Saturday dawned grey and soggy.
As the day wore on, it became clear it was going to rain all day. We played board games, drew pictures, and read books. We wore our raincoats into the torrential downpour approximately every four hours, leaving time for tiny boots and jackets to dry out, only to be soaked again.
Sunday morning dawned soggy again. We packed the truck and headed south with slightly deflated spirits. We’d made memories and made the most of the weekend. But we missed the sunshine and time outside.
“You want to put another trip on the calendar for June?” Darrell asked as the kids dozed in the backseat.
“I don’t know. It’ll probably rain the whole time again,” I commented snarkily.
Immediately, two words ran through my mind: Speak life.
Choosing Our Words Carefully
These two words, “Speak life,” are a common phrase in some of the circles I frequent.
I’ve heard them quoted in Bible study meetings, sermons, and songs.
I’m drawn to these two simple words. I believe I’m drawn to them because they align with God’s heart.
God commands us not to complain. When we complain about our circumstances, we’re inadvertently complaining about the One who orchestrates all circumstances.
When we complain about our circumstances, we’re inadvertently complaining about the One who orchestrates all circumstances. #complaining #gratitude #thankfulness #honoringGod Share on XOn one level, complaining about the weather is complaining that God’s plans for our weekend didn’t match my plans.
Complaining about the construction on the highway, the service at the restaurant, or the calling on my life is deeper than mere frustration over external circumstances. On a deeper level, these complaints question God’s timing. They overlook the circumstances God has ordained to bless others through me.
“I should be more intentional about speaking life,” I told Darrell as we headed south into the sunshine. “Let’s pick a weekend in June. We’ll make the most of whatever weekend we choose, rain or shine.”
4 Ways to Practice Not Complaining
As we headed home, I made a quiet abjuration to be more intentional about speaking life.
Our words matter.
Our words hold the power to pull us from bad moods.
We can overcome anger by speaking words of life. Let’s look at four ways to react in gentleness when we feel angry by pausing and choosing our words.
1. Relentlessly refuse to complain.
Philippians 2:14 reminds us to do all things without complaining.
The Amplified version puts it this way: Do everything without murmuring or questioning [the providence of God].
When we complain about our lives, we are questioning God’s providence. We are complaining to God about God. This puts a new twist on the idea of complaining.
You’re not really complaining about your leaky faucet or meager income. You’re complaining about the providence of God.
2. Look for what’s right, not what’s wrong.
It’s easy to find fault in pretty much any situation.
We can look at our friends, coworkers, employers, children, and husbands and list their faults, or we can look for the good.
We can complain about a rainy weekend, or we can give thanks for the people with whom we get to spend the long weekends indoors.
There’s always an invitation to look for what’s right instead of what’s wrong. Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks; therefore, when our hearts are set on what is good, our mouths will speak life. (For a full post on looking for what’s right, join me here.)
3. Fill yourself with Truth every morning.
We need to consider how we begin our days.
Beginning the day with the Word of God is important. We often speak the same words we put in. If the morning news or talk radio starts the day, our hearts are not set on what is pure, lovely, excellent, and admirable.
To speak words of life out, begin by putting words of life in first thing.
4. Ask God to align your heart with his heart.
God is merciful and patient.
Every morning, I ask God to align my heart with his heart. I spend some time worshiping him in song. I read my Bible, and God uses his Word to renew my mind.
In the process, God transforms me. He is slowly shaping me from a woman who complains to a woman who gives thanks. He wants to do this in your life, too.
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If these Bible verses about not complaining blessed you, I invite you to explore our devotional books and free library of eBooks below. Be blessed as you draw near to God!
Calling All Parents and Grandparents!
As the parent of two sons and a daughter, I have a heart for helping parents develop deeper relationships with their children and with God. Our kids, ages 6, 11, and 15, share this vision. They have helped me write three family devotionals for parents or older relatives to read with the children and teens they love. You can find all three books here or read more below.
Attention All Boy Moms (and Dads)!
God’s Warrior: Devotions for Boys Who Want to Grow in Courage and Strength helps young boys, ages 5-13, learn what it means to trust God and become strong warriors for his kingdom. Now, more than ever, our world needs men who are willing to boldly carry God’s love into the world. I wrote this boys’ devotional book with our two young sons, Aiden and Caleb, ages six and eleven! You’ll enjoy their honesty as we teach boys how to be strong warriors for the Lord. Find this life-changing devotional book here.
Mother-Daughter Devotionals by a Mom and Daughter
Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section for moms and daughters after each devotion. I wrote this book with the help of our daughter, Bekah, when she was eleven. Find this one-of-a-kind shared devotional here.
Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, sexuality, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. Bekah and I will help you right here.
Find Our Family Devotionals Here
Find all three books right here. They are also free on the Kindle Unlimited plan, which you can enjoy with a free three-month trial! These books make great gifts, and you don’t need to be the parent of young children to read them. Share them with your grandchildren, nieces, nephews, or the young ones you love.
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A Free Devotional to Help You Connect With God
God is a good Father, and he wants us to experience his healing, deliverance, and replenishment. Most of us have learned that we cannot heal, deliver, or refresh ourselves; we need God to do this work within us. I invite you to create space for God to transform your life by downloading a free copy of my devotional eBook, The Lean Into Grace Devotional: An 8-Day Devotional for Healing, Deliverance, and Replenishment. Find it for free here. I also offer a library of free online devotional eBooks for free. I invite you to explore the collection right here! 
