The psalms have quite a bit of “venting” for sure. The key is to eventually bring is round to looking to God and praising God in the midst of the trial .

Proverbs 29:11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Perfect timing. Something happened today that got me so angry. I felt heat rising to my head. I felt like I would explode. I had to get it out and called 2 of my friends, but trying not to camp there and cried out to God for help

help us Lord to be dissatisfied with what we ought to and content with our portion and the wisdom to know the difference

Human beings are emotional creatures, and I am sure there is a place in God's will for us to express our pains and frustrations and not bottle them up. But I think there is a fine line between this and complaining about things. I am not sure exactly how to distinguish between (good) expressions of distress and (bad) complaining, but I think it may have to do with how long it goes on. Suppose I receive a piece of bad news. I think it would then be fine for me to say something like: 'Oh no! I don't believe it. That is the last thing I want.' I am expressing my pain at this bad news. However, if I then go on and on day after day saying how bad this thing is, it has now become complaining. Basically, I think that a short-term expression of distress at something is OK, but a longer-term settled attitude of resentment is not OK.

This question was a huge topic in my marriage for the first 10 years. My husband defined complaining as having any emotional response. For example: I can state I was in line for an hour. That would be fine. Now if I added an emotion…I was in line for an hour and I felt frustrated. Now that was a complaint. For him, complaints needed to be ignored. So for 10 yrs anytime I shared an emotion, he ignored me and we would fight. I on the other hand defined complaining as making statements or continuing to make the same statements but not doing anything about it. I am one that if I am unhappy, I do something about it. Therefore, if I plan to do something about it I was not complaining. But of course it took us 10 years to define our terms and give each other grace. I think the contentment question is difficult for me. Not everything is about contentment necessarily. For example let’s use the earlier example…waiting in line for an hour at the grocery store. And at times, I do think it is ok to be discontented. I think it can signal to us that perhaps something needs to change. Maybe our job isn’t a good fit or is asking us to work too much. Overall, I know God will care for me with an employment that will work better for my schedule.

❤Perfect timing. I need this, as a graduate student right now I am going through a tough time at work/school and I had this realization yesterday. 😢 Thank you for this message.

Haven’t watched it yet but i believe God has perfectly timed this video after what happened to today with me

Short answer: yes. The only time it's acceptable is prayer towards God (1 Peter 5:7)

I'd argue Psalms give us a model for expressing frustration, and also indicate that faith isn't about being content in your circumstances, and I would strongly disagree that such contentment (at least as you seem to describe contentment) is required. Having faith just means you stay the course simply because you know it will turn out the best in the end. You obey God, even in a miserable path, simply because He knows best and you know that. David spends many psalms expressing frustrations with God and doesn't seem to always have that underlying contentment (he is clearly not content, even with his own circumstances, so not purely with empathy, and his response is more of a depressed "nevertheless, I will obey" in tone). I also believe that Jesus expresses this principle in Matthew 21:28-31. The first son is a man who verbally obeys, and seems happier, but doesn't actually do the work, but they second complains, but ends up obeying. When it gets down to it, the second one obeys despite being unhappy doing it, and is seen as the one who has done well. I think that says more about a person's faith if they can obey when they have no contentment, than if they can obey with that contentment. (I want to note that isn't how I'd describe contentment which I do believe to be needed, but I'm trying to use your definition for the sake of discussion)

Paul was declaring the facts of the matter and pronoucing a call to action as a solution to the clearly stated problem. Rebuke those who cause harm. Correct to protect.

John Piper is right that in discussing things like this, it is important to have a good idea of exactly what is meant, because people tend to define words like these ones a bit differently. Complaining or venting doesn't essentially have anything to do with blaming or not blaming other people, and I am not sure that Sina, the second questioner, really thought that it did. I think the example she gave just happened coincidentally to involve other people.

Thank John Piper for this 🤍🤍

Thank you!!

Just like presidents need to be called out publicly, I agree

Murder and venting are the same as they are sins in the eyes of God. Paul, like us, was a sinner. No one will learn contentment perfectly. It's grace and a thing supplied by God to saved sinners moment by moment. What I try to share is that we admit that we're all sinners and weak and praying for God's grace to trust and depend on the Lord Jesus - and this itself is grace.

So does being depressed vs being disappointed the same thing, or does one just last longer

So with these definitions, what would you consider Habakkuk was doing, complaining or venting?

IMO Venting is directed to the person who is in control. Complaining is going to people who have no power to change the situation with the intent to slander or gain support. IE not liking your work schedule and complaining to your coworkers instead of your boss would be complaining not venting. Talking to your spouse about something they do that you don’t like is venting, talking about them to your boys with no intention of getting advice…is complaining

No, it isn't the same. Venting, you get it out, and it is gone. We can then think things out properly. I have vented many times, before a good verdict. ❤❤

But, the whole reason why the teacher/professor is loading those students with tons of homework is to get those complainers ready for any and all of lives challenges ahead. It says in the Bible to work as if you are working, performing, even studying, for the Lord. Work diligently, and study diligently. College students have no business complaining, period! This entire subject has taught me a lot. Students can complain about the workload of their requirements needed to graduate from a class? Wow. When I was going to college, I did what was required, and then some. I made my professors proud by working very hard for my excellent grades. I studied for the Lord. If I lost sleep to get that good grade, that’s what I’m did. I made it happen. It was my grade I was achieving, I did not put the workload back onto the professor, that’s disrespectful to my professor. I did what he or she asked to achieve their satisfaction to pass the class.

Mark 12:The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 Jesus said "And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?29 Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. Deuteronomy 6:The Greatest Commandment 4 “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. Deuteronomy 13:Punishment of Apostates 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams, for the Lord your God is testing you to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear Him, and keep His commandments and obey His voice; you shall serve Him and hold fast to Him. Mark 12:31 Jesus said "And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Leviticus 19:17 ‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. 18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. 1 Timothy 5:21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. Proverbs 24:25 But those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, And a good blessing will come upon them. Matthew 18:Dealing with a Sinning Brother 15 Jesus said “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ 17 And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector. 18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19 “Again say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:16 But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ Deuteronomy 19:The Law Concerning Witnesses 15 “One witness shall not rise against a man concerning any iniquity or any sin that he commits; by the mouth of two or three witnesses the matter shall be established. Màtthew 18:18 “Assuredly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Galatians 6:Be Generous and Do Good 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Matthew 18:19 “Again say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them.” 1 John 5: The Certainty of God’s Witness 7 For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. 1 Samuel 16: David Anointed King 7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 2 Timothy 2:Approved and Disapproved Workers 19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor,sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. John 7: The Heavenly Scholar 24 Jesus said "Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” Leviticus 19:Moral and Ceremonial Laws 15 ‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor. James 2:Beware of Personal Favoritism 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 1 Timothy 5:21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure. Jude:Maintain Your Life with God 22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Matthew 22:The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All? 37 Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 5:Christ Fulfills the Law 17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.

murmuring is in the bible do you think that is complaining due to not believing the Truth or not comprehending the message. " Verily" Assuredly" " Truely" He is patient!

Sounds like a lot of sinners than people thought in church buildings. She burned the cookies don’t hire this lady at a bakery again she’s a sweetheart, but she’s not a good baker lol