Read: James 5:7–11

Do you ever grumble or complain? Do you think your parents ask you to do too much? Do you complain about the way your friends do things? Do you wish you had nicer clothes or a better soccer ball? How do you react when your brother or sister says something nasty to you? Do you get grumpy and angry? If you get sick and can’t go to a party, does that make you angry?

James’ readers were suffering many things and many of them started complaining and grumbling against each other. And that is exactly how we often behave too. We are quick to grumble and complain. This is because we are so often focused on ourselves and what we want.

But James tells us that, instead of responding in this way, we should be patient. Earlier in the book he told us what it means to be patient. It means to be pure, peaceable, gentle, full of mercy and good fruits. That means we shouldn’t be quick to get angry and argue, but we should be gentle and peaceable. Don’t get angry at God. Remember that God is in control of everything that happens to you, and maybe he is using your sickness or annoying sister to teach you patience and gentleness.

Nor should you get angry at other people. Remember that you are just as sinful as others are. Just like you need forgiveness for your sins, so does your brother or friend who is annoying you. God’s grace is for him just as much as it is for you.

What can you do to help you learn to be more patient? You should pray to the Lord. Ask God to help you set a guard over your mouth so that you don’t get angry at others. Also pray for those people who make you angry. Ask the Lord to bless them as well. Look at them with the love of Christ. Show them forgiveness and mercy, just like God shows you.

Reflection with your child:

What should you do instead of grumbling and complaining?

Source: Sermon by Rev. R. Bredenhof