The Dog Barks, but the Caravan Moves On: A Lesson on Complaining

An old Arab proverb says, “The dog barks, but the caravan moves on.” This simple yet profound saying serves as a reminder that, despite distractions and disruptions, life moves forward. The question is, how do we choose to move with it?

I recall the first time I visited my family back in South Africa after some years away. As I sat among them, a discomfort began to creep in. At first, I couldn’t quite place what was bothering me. Then it dawned on me—it was the constant stream of complaints. Ironically, just that morning, we had attended a sermon on forgiveness and the importance of focusing on Jesus Christ. Yet, by midday, the same people who nodded in agreement with the pastor’s words seemed consumed by grievances and grumblings.

This kind of contradiction is a trap we all fall into at times. It’s a form of hypocrisy—unintended perhaps, but revealing nonetheless. And it made me reflect on how easily complaints, particularly about things we can’t control, can take root in our lives. Philippians 2:14 came to mind, a reminder that our attitude matters as much as our actions.

The Cost of Chronic Complaining

We all have moments where we need to vent or process frustrations. That’s normal. But when complaining becomes habitual, it starts to erode something deeper: our sense of self-acceptance and self-reliance. Chronic complaining shifts our focus outward, away from solutions and toward problems we often can’t change. It silences the essential question, “What can I do to help myself with this?” Worse still, it stifles the empathy that compels us to ask, “How can I support those around me?”

The Bible warns us against this mindset in Proverbs 21:19. While this verse specifically addresses contentiousness within the home,  the broader principle applies—constant negativity can make even the most blessed life feel barren.

Unchecked, complaining keeps us stuck in a cycle of negativity. It narrows our world and pulls us into other people’s lives, often in ways that are neither helpful nor constructive. Sometimes, we need to remind ourselves to mind our own business—especially when the issues belong to those outside our closest circle of influence. “And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you” (1 Thessalonians 4:11).

Breaking the Cycle

So, what’s the alternative? Instead of chronic complaining, we can practice intentional living. That starts with gratitude—choosing to focus on the good, even when life feels hard. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). It also means adopting a mindset of responsibility, where we ask ourselves how we can make a difference, no matter how small.

When complaints arise, as they inevitably will, we can use them as opportunities to reflect and redirect. “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13). Is this something I can change? If not, how can I accept it? And if it’s not mine to carry, how can I let it go?

Moving Forward with Purpose

The truth is life is like the caravan in the proverb. It keeps moving forward, with or without our complaints. Our choice is to either lag behind, consumed by the barking, or to walk steadily forward, keeping our focus on what truly matters (Colossians 3:2).

Let us not be the barking dog. Instead, let us move forward with purpose, faith, and a willingness to embrace both the challenges and blessings life places on our path. As James 1:22 encourages us, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” May we not just hear the truth but live it, keeping our eyes on Jesus and our hearts free from the weight of unnecessary complaints.