We just need to listen to ourselves sometimes and stop complaining, because it kills relationships and friendships.
Stop the whining, it is so toxic.
Noah was in an ideal situation to complain about the smell of those animals within the Ark.
There was also the noise and the lack of space.
But we just do not read about Noah complaining. There are no verses that tell us of Noah reacting badly while he was on the Ark – he just was not complaining.
Table of Contents:
1. Some situations are perfect for complaining, but we need to be less judgmental!
I used to share a granny flat, with a chap who worked on a pig farm.
All we had, was one 20ft by 10ft room, with a separate bathroom.
Have you ever been on a pig farm, or a chicken farm – the smell!!!
There was no porch or hallway, to put smelly Wellington boots and overalls in!
Inevitably bits of straw got dropped onto the carpet, but it was an excellent time for maintaining a friendship and not holding on to grudges.
The point of this story is to make you imagine the smell and the cramped conditions within the Ark.
Both of us could go out every day to our jobs, but Noah couldn’t!
From the description of the Ark, it looks as if Noah and his family couldn’t even get up on deck for some fresh air and to get a bit further away from the noise!
But there is no record of any moaning or complaining while they were in the Ark, for all of the 375 days.
(See the timeline from God’s warning right up to them leaving the Ark)
If Noah had had a different attitude, then that time would have been like a prison sentence.
2. What to do instead of complaining
It is interesting to see two people in the same surroundings, one is whining and complaining, and the other does not whine, they are just able to stop complaining!
It is down to a different outlook.
The old glass of water adage is true:
- ‘Oh no, my glass is already half empty.’
- ‘Oh good, I’ve still got a glass that is half full!’
We need to learn, how to become content with the lot we have in this life.
Often, we just won’t have the answer to: “Why is this happening?”
Do you realise, that you could be in the centre of God’s will for your life, and yet you might not understand why all these things are happening to you?
A man’s (or woman’s) steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way.“
Proverbs 20:24 NIV
I find that verse very refreshing.
Don’t feel depressed because you don’t understand your situation, and don’t let any super-spiritual friends make you feel guilty, because you haven’t had a ‘word from the Lord’ to solve your problem.
We may not understand our problems, but the important thing is to believe that it is the Lord who directs our steps.
So, Noah was in an unpleasant circumstance, and yet he did not moan!
We must stop complaining and it may seem surprising that we could actually be content in this trial we’re experiencing! Paul wrote:
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16 NIV
But why did God’s plan involve putting Noah in such cramped conditions, along with that overpowering smell?
Why, the Lord could have had a different plan for judging the old world and a different way of saving Noah – something easier.
We do not know the answer, but we can trust that our Father God is loving and He has a plan for us. Jesus said:
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.
John 10:27-30 ESV
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.
My Father who has given them to me is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.
I and the Father are one.”
Difficult situations can be the Lord either training us or disciplining us.
Our life may seem like it is totally out of control, but God is in control.
God is reliable and consistent.
3. Faith has to be tested and proved
When I was thirteen years old a vicar asked me if I believed that Jesus died for me.
I did not have a clue as to what he meant by that, so I replied that I did.
In fact, I did not believe in Jesus and I did not know who he was.
How can the reality of believing in Jesus be shown, how can faith be proved?
The answer is demonstrated when we go through difficult situations – does our faith shine through or does our faith shrivel and die?
Faith is an intangible gift from God. You can’t see it or feel or smell it or touch it, but it is real. Faith is proven not by our feelings but by our way of walking, trusting God for each new step along a path He has ordered in eternity past.”
‘Faith is Proven’ 21st November 2020. By Gaye-Ellen Austin (or SonShine). 1
Some can say that they believe in Jesus and it can be difficult to prove that, but when bad, distressing times come, then true faith will shine through.
At the start of Peter’s first letter, he writes that we are to rejoice in our salvation, even though we are distressed by various trials:
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
1 Peter 1:6-9 NIV
These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Though you have not seen him, you love him;
and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,
for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
These difficulties and problems which hit us have come so that our faith may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honour.
We go through tough times for our proving and training, to create opportunities for the Holy Spirit to produce patience in us.
The Lord is not interested, in getting us from childhood to heaven in the most trouble-free way!
He is concerned about our training.
Getting our motives correct, loving others – even our enemies, serving and honouring God Himself, and getting the fruit of the Holy Spirit to grow in us.
All this may involve hardship and heartache, but God is working on and in us:
…that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”
Romans 8:28 NIV
We can’t see what the Lord is doing, but we can believe that He is orchestrating situations for our good, for our growth, and for His Glory.
[9] No resting place – a stranger in this world
[10] It’s so hard to wait for stuff!
[11] How to please God – a sweet-smelling life
[12] Being consistent, no problem!
References – open in new tabs:
Images: Thanks to The Pictorial Dictionary published by The Educational Book Company, London