The Deadly Disease of Spiritual Amnesia: Overcoming Complaining with Gratitude

Why We Complain: The Deadly Disease of Spiritual Amnesia

Do you ever find yourself complaining? Maybe it’s about the weather, your job, your family, your health, or your church. Perhaps it’s about something trivial or something significant. Regardless of the issue, we all have a tendency to complain. But have you ever stopped to consider why we complain?

The Bible has a lot to say about complaining. It’s a pervasive problem that has plagued humanity since the beginning. In fact, the Israelites, God’s chosen people, were notorious complainers. They grumbled about everything, from their food to their leaders to their very existence. And yet, despite the countless blessings they received from God, they still found something to complain about.

The Root of Our Complaints

So what is the root of our complaints? Why do we find it so easy to grumble and complain, even when we know how much God has done for us? The answer lies in a deadly disease that afflicts us all: spiritual amnesia.

When we forget all the good things God has done for us, we become ungrateful and discontent. We focus on what we lack instead of what we have. We forget how much God loves us, how much he has provided for us, and how much he has saved us from. We forget the power and majesty of the God we serve, and we begin to think that our problems are too big for him to handle.

Just like the Israelites, we fall into the trap of complaining because we forget. We forget that God is in control, that he is good, and that he is faithful. We forget that he has promised to never leave us or forsake us. We forget that he has a plan for our lives, and that he is working all things together for our good.

The Consequences of Complaining

Complaining not only reveals our spiritual amnesia, but it also has serious consequences. When we complain, we are essentially saying that we don’t trust God. We are telling him that we don’t believe he is capable of taking care of us, and that we need to take matters into our own hands. This lack of trust leads to anxiety, fear, and stress. It also leads to a lack of joy and peace in our lives.

In addition, complaining can have a negative impact on those around us. It can spread like a virus, infecting those who hear us and causing them to become discontent as well. It can also damage our relationships, causing others to view us as negative and ungrateful.

The Antidote to Complaining

So what is the antidote to complaining? How do we overcome the deadly disease of spiritual amnesia? The answer lies in cultivating a heart of gratitude.

When we focus on the goodness of God and all the blessings he has given us, our hearts are filled with thanksgiving and praise. We begin to see our problems in a different light, realizing that they are small in comparison to the greatness of our God. We also begin to trust God more, knowing that he has a track record of faithfulness and provision.

The Bible commands us to give thanks in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18), to be thankful in everything (Ephesians 5:20), and to overflow with thankfulness (Colossians 2:7). Gratitude is not just a nice thing to do; it is a command from God.

The Example of Paul

The apostle Paul is a great example of someone who cultivated a heart of gratitude in the midst of difficult circumstances. Despite being imprisoned, beaten, and stoned, he wrote in his letter to the Philippians, “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:12-13).

Paul didn’t complain about his circumstances; instead, he gave thanks to God for the opportunities he had to share the gospel with others. He saw his trials as a means of advancing the kingdom of God, and he trusted that God would provide for all his needs.

The Benefits of Gratitude

Cultivating a heart of gratitude not only helps us overcome the deadly disease of spiritual amnesia, but it also has numerous benefits for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health.

Physical Benefits

• Lower blood pressure


• Improved immune system function


• Reduced risk of heart disease


• Better sleep

Emotional Benefits

• Increased happiness


• Reduced stress and anxiety


• Improved relationships


• Increase in positive emotions

Spiritual Benefits

• Increased trust in God


• Greater sense of purpose and meaning


• Improved prayer life


• Deeper intimacy with God

The Practice of Gratitude

So how do we cultivate a heart of gratitude? The practice of gratitude involves intentionally focusing on the good things in our lives and expressing thanks to God for them.

One way to practice gratitude is to keep a gratitude journal. Each day, write down three things you are thankful for and why. This exercise helps us to focus on the positive things in our lives and trains our minds to look for the good instead of the bad.

Another way to practice gratitude is to give thanks throughout the day. When you wake up in the morning, thank God for a new day. When you eat a meal, thank God for the food. When you see a beautiful sunset, thank God for his creation. By making thankfulness a habit, we can overcome our tendency to complain and cultivate a heart of gratitude.

Conclusion

Complaining is a deadly disease that afflicts us all. It reveals our spiritual amnesia and leads to a lack of trust in God. But the antidote to complaining is gratitude. By focusing on the goodness of God and all the blessings he has given us, we can overcome our tendency to complain and cultivate a heart of gratitude. This not only has numerous benefits for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health, but it also brings glory to God and advances his kingdom.

As we look to the future, let us resolve to be a people of gratitude, giving thanks in all circumstances and overflowing with thankfulness. Let us remember the words of the psalmist, who wrote, “Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever” (Psalm 107:1).