Whenever someone begins to become a little whiny in my husband’s family, my mother-in-law has been known to say in jest, “Moan, Groan, Gripe, and Complain!” It is always said very lightheartedly, accompanied by a smile, and received with the good humor with which it is conveyed. But, despite the moment of levity, there is a gentle reminder.
The warning to refrain from complaining is not new. In 1 Corinthians 10, Paul warns the readers to avoid some of the mistakes from Israel’s past. In verse 10, he states, “And do not grumble, as some of them did–and were killed by the destroying angel.” He includes this admonishment, according to verse six, with other examples “to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did.”
Complaining can become such an easy habit to slip into. However, to become a grumbler is to set our heart on evil things rather than fill it with good. As the mouth speaks what the heart is full of, I am adopting this phrase to encourage my own family members to not be people who moan, groan, gripe, and complain. 🙂
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