1 Peter 4: 8-9 ESV

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.

Throughout the New Testament we are told to do good, to do all things as if working for God, to love others, and many other similar teachings. Peter is reminding us to do good through our actions. We are to do good to others, to love others. Our actions in doing this are both physical, in how we treat others by helping or serving them in some tangible way, but also through our attitude which is reflected through our facial expressions and our words. When we grumble and complain about someone: a boss, a spouse, a child, a friend or even a perfect stranger, we are not showing Christ’s love. When we are grumbling or complaining to a person about another person we are doing more harm than we might think. First, we are not loving the one we are complaining about, because we are gossiping about them. Second, we are harming the one we are telling, because we are pulling them into the grumbling cycle.

If someone comes to us grumbling about another, we can prevent ourselves from being pulled into that cycle. We can politely say we am not comfortable discussing this and move on to another topic, or simply walk away. But being human, I realize that sometimes people just need to vent frustration. In that case, the better thing may be to listen without reacting or belittling any party involved. No matter what we choose to do, remember to always be in prayer and listen for God’s guidance in the matter.  Most times we will know if the person has a legitimate complaint and needs to vent, or they are just stirring the pot to create chaos. Our world has enough chaos; we don’t need to add to it.

We simply need to remember that everything we do has the potential to glorify God or not. Choose to love others, stand firm in faith and glorify God through all you say and do every day.

            Challenge: Pay attention to your words and actions. Do something different today that glorifies God.