“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.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky” — Philippians 2:14-15 NIV

My wife and I once had a friendship with a couple until their marriage dissolved into divorce. When a new spouse came into the picture we tried to revive that friendship but their propensity to criticize, complain, and grumble pushed us away. Constantly criticizing is not an acceptable conversation skill, unless you like being alone. Most of us can only take being around a negative person so long before we start to hide from their verbal porcupine quills.

Sadly, the criticizing complainer can be found throughout our society today, we have them at work, at the grocery store, and even at church. Turn on the radio, television, or look through social media and you’ll find a lot of people who have the gift of grumbling and criticizing.

If you want to be set apart from these naysayers, be positive in your conversations and avoid criticizing, complaining, and arguing about everything. Be a good-finder. Find the positive in people and situations and have conversations on those things. When you do, you’ll stand out to those around you like the stars in a dark sky.