Confession when I deserve to Complain

There are times, even as a Christian, where complaining seems like the most appropriate thing to do. Of course, it helps both practically and socially (so you don't gradually drive away all your friends) to do your complaining towards someone who can actually do something about it. You know who that Person is, don't you? (I capitalized the "P" to give you a hint).


Example of a Godward Complainer. I shared a story in church a few weeks ago about my friend, James Rawcliffe, who has provided me personally with a tremendous example of this principle at work. I cannot think of a time I last heard James complain. Even when I play golf with him, he'll be next to the green and, occasionally, he'll mishit an easy chip 15 feet (far) past the hole. His reaction: "Just where I wanted it, an uphill putt" (I try to mess with his mind at this point and remind him that he's only deceiving himself). 


But his whole life is like this. Encouraging, positive, supportive. And not because he doesn't complain, but He complains to the right person. Whenever you ask him about his relationship with Christ, he always mentions being honest with God about His complaints, which frees Him to trust God and have genuine hope because He knows God can take care of it. Of course, he's British so he really puts it like this: "I nut (butt heads with) the Lord having a bit of a row (argument) or whinge (complaint) with him, until he helps me suss (figure) it out."


The Next Step. I write this, however, because I'm being challenged and I hope you will be also to take the next step of faith. When hardship strikes ranging from annoyance with your spouse's cleptopenia (the propensity to unconsciously steal your pens...annoying) to genuine tragedy, remembering to search one's own heart and confess rebellion even while complaining about external hardship. In other words, when there seems to be external injustice, remember to confess internal injustice.


An Example of a Godward Complainer who looks at his own junk too. I was struck recently re-reading a couple of Psalms written by King David -- Psalms 40 & 41. Even while David was sick as dog (Psalm 40) and being hounded for his life & falsely accused (Psalm 41), he does not neglect plumbing the depth of his own heart and searching out rebellious acts, thoughts, intentions. Can you even imagine searching out sin like this -- like a CSI forensic specialist? If it sounds painful, it is -- but only temporarily as we'll see.

For evils have encompassed me beyond number; my iniquities have overtaken me and and I cannot see; they are more than the hairs on my head; my heart fails me (Ps. 40:12).                                                                                

As for me, I said, "O YHWH, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you" (Ps. 41:4).

If you've found that you've poured out your complaint before God, perhaps multiple times on multiple days, but still have no peace -- perhaps it's worth asking: Have I searched my own heart and poured out the injustice that resides there?


How is David able to, in the same breath, call out to God to show justice to His enemies and take care to admit His own sin? Trust. Specifically Trust in God's effectual grace. Just prior to his confession in 40:12:

As for you, O YHWH, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! (Ps. 40:11).

"Ever preserve me!" -- ever preserve me in the midst of external injustice; ever preserve me despite the internal injustice in my heart toward You. The same trust that allows him to believe God can do something about his complaint toward external injustice simultaneously strengthens him to believe God can do something about the injustice in his heart -- namely, forgive the sin and accept the sinner.


Guilt for Guilt's sake? Neither myself nor David, I think, says any of this to promote spiritual masochism. God never means to provide guilt for guilt's sake, nor even solely for His sake (to forever indebt you to His service) -- but also for your sake.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). 

He forgives in order to cleanse us, set us free, and (in doing these things) help us grow that next step in trusting Him. For me, that next step is to not only be honest and turn to Him in my moment of legitimate complaint, but also take that next step of faith (and humility) -- namely, take an honest look and my own junk ... the reason for His complaint, and get that off my chest as well. 



Let us boldly take every opportunity, even those in which it seems we have the most biblical warrant to complain, to search our our hearts and be bold about confession -- even when it means making a habit of confessing our sins to one another (cf. James 5:16). I truly believe Satan and the world over which He still has sway would want us to forget God's grace. And the quickest route to accomplishing this devilish objective -- have us forget our need for grace.