What’s in Your Heart? How to Stop Complaining and Live a Life of Gratitude

Proverbs 4:23 says, Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it (NIV).

The Bible has a lot to say about your heart. It’s not talking about your physical heart, but it’s referring to what’s going on inside of you—your thoughts, motives and desires. These “hidden” things are important because they eventually come out through your words, attitudes and the things you do. If you have a healthy heart, then it leads to a healthy life.

So, I want to ask you today: What is in your heart? Is it full of murmuring and complaining? Or is it filled with praise and thanksgiving to God?

Complain and Remain

Just like it’s possible to have a physical heart murmur, I believe we can also suffer from a spiritual heart murmur. We can get into a habit of complaining or “murmuring” about the things we aren’t happy with in life. These murmurs are often the result of jealousy, resentment or a lack of gratitude.

For instance, I can remember a time years ago when my next-door neighbor was given a brand new coat—the very coat I had been praying for! I thought, Surely, they delivered it to the wrong house by accident. Instead of being happy for her, I seethed with jealousy and grumbled about how I deserved it more than she did. Maybe you can relate.

The truth is, God can never bless us to the degree He wants until we learn how to truly be happy for other people. If all we can do is complain about what others have and what we don’t have, it just keeps us stuck in the same place.

The Israelites are the perfect example. Because of their unbelief and bad attitudes, they literally wandered around in the wilderness for 40 years. The Bible says …all the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness!” (Numbers 14:2 NIV).

They complained when they were hungry, and so God supernaturally provided them with manna every morning. Although they were satisfied for a little while, they grew tired of the manna and grumbled because they wanted meat instead (see Exodus 16:11-16; 17:1-7).

It’s easy to read about the Israelites and think, How could they be so ungrateful? However, we often do the very same thing! We can pray to have children, then later complain about all of the hard work that comes with it. Or we can desire a bigger house and then get upset because we have to spend more time cleaning it.

Unfortunately, I used to be a chronic complainer. Even during my prayer time, I would make my list and ask God for all the things I wanted...all the while complaining about the things I already had. One day, the Lord spoke to my heart and said, “Joyce, if you’re not thankful for what you have now, why should I give you more to complain about?” That got my attention!

Count Your Blessings

Maintaining a grateful heart is the cure for a spiritual heart murmur. Psalm 50:23 says, “He who offers a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving honors Me and…I shall show the salvation of God” (AMP).

In other words, when we are thankful, it opens the door for God to answer our prayers and bring blessings into our lives. God’s blessings travel on the road of thanksgiving!

What we focus on has the ability to make us either happy or miserable. We can either dwell on the negative things in life or choose to magnify the good. When we choose to be thankful, it releases a new level of faith, hope and joy. We become happier, and we bring more joy to those around us.

The old saying “Count your blessings” is terrific advice. I think it’s easy to get used to all of the wonderful things God does for us and take them for granted. That’s why it’s so powerful to take even just a few minutes each day to thank Him for the blessings in our lives—big and small.

It felt a little awkward at first, but I’ve made a habit of being thankful. As I go about my day, I’ll thank God for His help with my work, the beautiful day He has provided and even the coffee I get to drink. I praise Him for the people He has placed in my life and for the strength He gives me to keep on going when I feel too busy or overwhelmed.

The Bible says to be thankful and say so (see Psalm 100:4). It’s not only important to thank God for Who He is and all that He does for us, but we also need to regularly thank the people who make our lives better. I think you would be amazed how much your relationships would improve if you simply began saying, “I appreciate you” from time to time.

Are you dealing with a heart murmur of your own? Have you been tempted to complain about the things you don’t like instead of focusing on the blessings in your life? If so, I encourage you to practice being a person of gratitude. Choose to give thanks…and say so. Voice your thankfulness to God for the wonderful things He does for you each and every day.

As you do—as you determine to celebrate the positive in every situation—you will fill your heart with joy and gratitude…and release the power of God’s goodness into your life like never before.