Mumbling & Grumbling During Recovery

One of the toughest obstacles in recovery is the tendency to get stuck in a cycle of complaining. It’s a natural flesh-driven human response that needs to be put under control. For those of you believers, who are in recovery, the weight of past mistakes, psychological cravings (the physical cravings are gone after detox), or fractured relationships can make every day a battle if you allow it. It’s a choice. Here’s the thing: constant complaining doesn’t just drain you, it saps the spirit of everyone around you. As believers, we’re called to something higher, and Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit and Scripture offers a way out of this trap.

Matthew 16:24 says, “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me.'”

Think about the Israelites after they left Egypt. God had just pulled off a miracle by parting the Red Sea, setting them free from slavery! Yet, not long after, they were whining about food and water Exodus 16:2-3 says, “And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.‘”. They said they’d rather be back in chains than face the desert’s unknowns. Sound familiar? In recovery, it’s easy to romanticize the past or fixate on what’s missing now such as stable finances, old friends, a sense of control. But God didn’t leave the Israelites in their complaints, and He doesn’t leave us there either. He provided manna, quail, and water, showing that His provision comes even when we’re too busy griping to notice.

Philippians 2:14-15 hits this head-on: “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.” Paul’s not saying we can’t feel the struggle… he wrote this from a prison cell, after all. He’s saying there’s power in shifting our focus. Complaining keeps us chained to the problem; gratitude, even in small doses, points us to the Solution. Recovery isn’t about pretending life’s perfect. Recovery in Christ is about trusting that Jesus is working amid your mess. When you vent endlessly, you’re not just venting; you’re building a wall between yourself and God, which also blocks the peace that is beyond human understanding that He offers.

That said, let’s get real. Feelings need an outlet. The Psalms are full of David crying out, yet he always circles back to praising God (Psalm 13 is a great example). There’s a difference between processing pain and wallowing in it. For those in recovery, a recovery coach, non-12-step Christian support groups or prayer partners can be a lifeline. They are venues to unload without letting complaints define your journey. James 5:16 tells us to “confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” That’s not a call to complain; it’s a call to connect to God’s people and keep healing.

To bring this message home, if you’re in recovery and catch yourself grumbling more than growing, take a breath. You’re not alone… neither were the Israelites, David, or Paul. Look at what God’s already done: you’re here, fighting for a new life. That’s no small thing. Instead of listing what’s wrong, try naming what Jesus has carried you through. It won’t erase the struggle, but it will lighten the load. If you’re someone walking alongside a loved one in recovery, listen with patience and grace… just gently point them back to hope. We’re all recovering from something, and God’s still writing the story.

Have a blessed rest of your day, knowing that Jesus is with you and strengthening you even during the moments when you don’t feel His presence. Hope to see you in my next post. Bye for now!