James 5:8-9
You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.
Reflection
I have caught myself recently having a little bit of a complain-y attitude. I, mostly, am an easy-going, happy-go-lucky guy… not easily frustrated. Nevertheless, out of my mouth recently has come conversations beginning something like this: “I can’t believe that….” Or, “you won’t believe what happened today….” Are you familiar with these kinds of conversations? Don’t get me wrong, many of the things are silly annoyances and minor frustrations. But, in my silly head I ponder such things in a way that makes them bigger than they are. I am certain I am not unique in this experience.
Sometimes the complaints (yours and mine) center around others. Worse still, occasionally we complain against others in the family of God, whom we are called to love. James has some straightforward things to say about that! He first points to the inescapable fact that the Lord is coming (James 4:8). Indeed, he makes it clear that a patient heart is aided by this knowledge that the Lord is coming. And he is coming to judge! Yikes!! This I think is key: if we remember that the Lord is coming… and hat he is coming as a judge… we are less inclined to judge and complain about others.
Prayer
Lord, help us to not complain about others. We are reminded that you are coming to judge, and we desire to be above reproach.
