April 22
The Peace
of Submission
Philippians 2:14-15
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”
Daily Steps
When difficulties and suffering continue, the peace of the new believer is often lost through two common reactions: grumbling (inward complaint) and arguing (outward resistance). This verse teaches that our submission to God's sovereignty in all things should be demonstrated by a peaceful, non-resistant attitude.
The peace in this command is found in the power of a quiet spirit:
The Command to Stop Complaining: "Do everything without grumbling or arguing." God knows that complaint and bitterness are pollutants that destroy your inner peace and ruin your outward witness. Submission is accepting God’s allowance of the difficulty without fighting His hand.
The Resulting Purity: The purpose of this submission is so that you "may become blameless and pure" and shine as "children of God without fault." Your willingness to endure difficulty without complaint is one of the most powerful proofs of a genuine, peace-filled faith to a "warped and crooked generation."
Your peace in difficulty is secured by making the daily choice to stop resisting your circumstances and to simply trust the sovereign plan of God. This quiet, gentle endurance allows the light of Christ to shine brightly through you.
Reflective Question
What difficulty are you currently grumbling or arguing about, either inwardly or outwardly? How can you commit to do everything without grumbling today, trusting that this act of submission will secure your peace and strengthen your witness?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my sin of complaining and my resistance to difficult circumstances. I pray for the quiet spirit to do everything without grumbling or arguing. I submit to Your sovereignty today, trusting that my peaceful endurance will allow Your light to shine brightly through me, securing the peace of Your perfect will. Amen.
