Righteous are you, O LORD when I complain to you; yet I would plead my case before you. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all who are treacherous thrive?

JER. 12:1 ESV

“Stop complaining!” is a phrase every parent has spoken to their whiny children. And you can hear it on any day in any public place. Our culture considers not complaining a virtue. It is just downright impolite to whine. And complaining is not safe. I should never complain to my superiors if I want my career to go anywhere.

And indeed, we should never complain to God! No, that would be the height of arrogance! It’s not even safe.

But when we read the Psalms, we hear complaining voices and no criticism from God. Over half of the Psalms are lament, a complaint to God. And the Psalms are the prayer book of God’s people. And the Holy Spirit inspired them.

Our Father is not like us. His store of patience is not short. He does not take it amiss when we complain to Him. The lament Psalms are his permission to pray this way, and we should.

But what assurance do we have that it is OK to pour out our complaint to God? Let me offer just one:

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

mATT. 11:28 esv

Jesus invites the worn down, the downtrodden, the hurting, the tired, the discouraged, the sad, to come to Him. And when we come are we then to be silent? No!

My Dad once told me his favorite hymn was I Must Tell Jesus:

 I must tell Jesus all of my trials;
 I cannot bear these burdens alone;
 In my distress He kindly will help me;
 He ever loves and cares for His own.

 I must tell Jesus!
 I must tell Jesus!
 I cannot bear my burdens alone;
 I must tell Jesus!
 I must tell Jesus!
 Jesus can help me, Jesus, alone.

I think my Dad felt Jesus was the only one to whom he could talk plainly.

Do not fear! You can pour out your heart to Jesus. He will hear and not rebuke you. He will kindly take you, his child, into his arms.

Start complaining!

Photo by Samuel Martins on Unsplash