“¹¹Therefore I will not restrain my mouth;

I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;

I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” – Job 7:11 (ESV)

Job is complaining, or more, he is venting.

I know that there are things that are tough to take on. I have things in my life, as we all do, that seemingly work against me daily. I may not have control over those things, but they are impacting me none the less. I have to address them or they will consume me and I will lose my focus on doing the Work of the LORD. Venting will allow me to address those things.

Venting is allowing the challenge to get out there. It is addressing the thing as opposed to dwelling on it. By venting, I am able to let it known that I am bothered and at minimum be able to then move on from it. At maximum, by getting the thing in the open, someone may be willing and/or able to help in addressing the thing to turn it around. Either way, it is healthy to vent as Job is doing above.

Venting is not dwelling on the thing continuously. Once the things has been outed, we are to move on from it. Whether someone is willing and/or able to help in addressing the thing or not, we have said our peace and it is time to move on from it.

It is important to note that venting is allowed with God. He wants us to bring that which troubles us to Him. The LORD listens to our pain and guides us through it. No, He may not always relieve the pain in the moment, but He allows for my voice to be heard and then guides me through the thing by addressing it in His way and time. Venting is okay.

What is your view of “complaining”? Are you allowing the thing to overtake you and be a continued hindrance to you? What if you vented instead by getting it our and allowing the LORD to guide you through it in His way and time?