The Bible teaches that complaining is often wrong. For example, God judged the Israelites for complaining about their difficulties in the wilderness (Numbers 14:27–37). The Job complained a lot and received God's rebuke. But God still confirmed that Job was righteous and rejected those who tried to silence him (Job 42:7–8).
Job's main complaint was that God did not give him a fair chance to prove his innocence. Job's friends criticized him for trying to defend himself, but God supported Job's innocence. In a kind yet firm way, God revealed himself and corrected Job for his excessive self-defense that implied criticism of God's fairness. God redirected Job's attention from his problems to God himself (Job 38–41).
Scripture requires us to rejoice and give thanks in all situations (Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 4:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). It also urges us to endure suffering and persist in prayer (James 5:10–18). If we feel the need to complain in prayer, we should follow the example of the psalms, which guide us back to God (see, for example, Psalm 13). Job's positive example is not in his response to troubles or comforters, but in his response to God (James 5:11; Job 40:3–5; 42:1–6). In difficult and confusing times, we can still recognize God's sovereignty and goodness.
Passages for Further Study
Genesis 4:13–14; Exodus 16:2–18; Numbers 14:27–37; 1 Kings 19:3–18; Job 3:1–26; Job 6:1–7:21; Psalms 38; Psalms 39; Psalms 44; Psalms 73; Jeremiah 20:14–18; Jonah 4:1–11; Matthew 27:46; John 6:41–59; 1 Corinthians 10:1–10; Ephesians 5:20; Philippians 2:14–15; James 5:9–11