31 Bible Verses about Complaining: Finding Contentment in God’s Word

Complaining is a common human tendency. It’s easy to focus on what we lack or what’s going wrong, but the Bible provides wisdom and guidance on how to find contentment and peace in every situation. In this post, we’ll explore 31 verses that address the issue of complaining and offer insights into how we can shift our focus toward gratitude and faith.

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Bible Verses about Complaining

1. Philippians 2:14-15
“Do everything without complaining and arguing so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.”

2. James 5:9
“Don’t grumble about each other, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. For look—the Judge is standing at the door!”

3. 1 Peter 4:9
“Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay.”

4. Exodus 16:8
“Then Moses added, ‘The Lord will give you meat to eat in the evening and bread to satisfy you in the morning, for he has heard all your complaints against him. What have we done? Yes, your complaints are against the Lord, not against us.'”

5. Psalm 19:14
“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”

6. Numbers 11:1
“Soon the people began to complain about their hardship, and the Lord heard everything they said. Then the Lord’s anger blazed against them, and he sent a fire to rage among them, and he destroyed some of the people in the outskirts of the camp.”

7. Philippians 4:11-12
“Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.”

8. Proverbs 19:3
“People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord.”

9. Colossians 3:17
“And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

10. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

11. Psalm 34:1
“I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.”

12. Numbers 14:27
“How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against me.”

13. 1 Corinthians 10:10
“And don’t grumble as some of them did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death.”

14. Hebrews 13:5
“Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.'”

15. 1 Peter 5:7
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”

16. Psalm 119:165
“Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.”

17. James 5:10-11
“For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We give great honor to those who endure under suffering.”

18. Colossians 3:23
“Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.”

19. 2 Corinthians 12:10
“That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

20. Psalm 136:26
“Give thanks to the God of heaven. His faithful love endures forever.”

21. Romans 8:28
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

22. Lamentations 3:22-23
“The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

23. Ephesians 4:29
“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

24. Romans 12:2
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

25. Colossians 3:8
“But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.”

26. Psalm 100:4
“Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name.”

27. 1 Timothy 6:6
“Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.”

28. Psalm 9:1
“I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.”

29. Colossians 2:6-7
“And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

30. 1 Timothy 6:8
“So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.”

31. 1 Corinthians 10:13
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.”

Short Prayer

Dear Father God, help us to cultivate hearts of gratitude and contentment. May we remember your faithfulness in all circumstances and choose to praise you in times of difficulty. Fill our lives with the joy of your presence, and let our words be a source of encouragement and love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Conclusion

These 31 verses remind us of the importance of cultivating gratitude and contentment in our lives. Rather than focusing on our difficulties, let’s choose to praise God in all circumstances and trust in His plan. As we fill our hearts with thanksgiving and our words with encouragement, we can find contentment and peace in every situation.