There’s a difference between grumbling and healthy venting.

My name isn’t Funk & Wagnalls but here’s how I would define the difference. “Grumbling” is reactionary, undisciplined, and envelops others in the cloud of your verbal fumes.

It’s common in an era of quick clicks, posts, and chronic noise.

But in contrast, healthy venting is deliberate and serves a purpose.

Consider Philippians 2:14-15: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure…” Grumbling and arguing in a way that has no positive purpose actually counters the goal of being blameless and pure.

There are times when we need to get things “off our chest.” It’s true for you, and it’s true for me. One way to avoid “grumbling or arguing” is to

-take time to reflect
-talk to someone trustworthy
-express your frustrations
-humbly admit your own imperfections
-and pray to God about it

When a venting system is working properly, it exhausts the bad air and retains the good.

I think that’s a great way to think about the frustrations that circulate within our hearts as well.

None of us are perfect. But we can take small, realistic steps, to be less contaminating and more pure.

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Notes:

–The Up Devotional is published 5 days a week (Monday-Friday) and returns on April 26, 2021.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.