Thoughts for the Day

Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who showed endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

I like onomatopoeias words, that is words which sound like their meaning, for example 'hiccup', or 'buzz'. The word 'grumble' has a sense of this. Notice how when you say 'grumble' the voice usually drops and the sound comes from the back of throat. If you're not sure what I mean say 'joy' and then 'grumble'. I have the feeling that when we grumble and moan, our voice and our whole face changes in the same way. Perhaps it also changes our feelings and emotions so that we become less happy.

The letter of James argues that we should not grumble so that we may not be judged; and that we should have patience in suffering. Does he mention the two together for a reason? Probably. When we're not well, or suffering in some other way, we can definitely lose patience and take to grumbling - to ourselves, to others, and to God! If we do, we won't achieve anything very positive - we could lose our friends, upset our family, and it won't help our faith in God!

Heavenly Father,
give us patience in adversity,
and stop us from grumbling
or complaining.
May we turn to You in faith
believing that only You
will have the answers
for that which we seek.
Amen.