We all complain at times – it’s our sinful, selfish nature – but it’s important to think about who you are complaining to, and what you are complaining about.
Do you sit around in a group of friends trying to one-up each other on the things that are difficult in your life?
Do you tell your neighbor or your co-worker negative things about your spouse or your children?
Do you complain about taking care of the very home the Lord has blessed you with?
In my quiet time this week, I am reading the book of Numbers. In chapter 11, the Israelites have been rescued from Egypt – freed from the chains of slavery – and are headed toward the Promised Land. Along the way, they get tired of the manna that God has provided for them to eat and they start whining and complaining to Moses and to each other that they want meat!
Suddenly they remember the grass being much greener on the other side of the fence than it really was. They cried out, “We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost – also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic.” “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” they wailed.
How quickly they forgot that the food they enjoyed in Egypt came with a very high price – the brutal whippings by the Egyptian soldiers! the long days of work with no rest or relief! How quickly do we forget all that God has done – and is doing – for us? Do we look back and wish we still lived somewhere else, or are we looking for the good in our current location? Do we look ahead thinking we’d be happy “if only….” – or do we seek to find true contentment in our present circumstances?
The grass is not always greener. We all know someone that seems to have it all – fancy cars, a huge house, expensive things – but they may be drowning in debt or struggling in their marriage. Whatever it is you wish you had comes with a price – a price you may not be willing to pay. Instead of longing for something that you don’t have, choose to focus on all the gifts God has already given you.
Because the Israelites grumbled and complained to each other, God chose to bring a plague on them to teach them a hard lesson in being content.
On the other hand, Moses took his complaint straight to the Lord and said “I can’t do this on my own!” – so the Lord gave him help and gave him others to help carry his burden. When we take our requests and even our complaints to the Lord – the one who can actually do something about it – He is faithful to help us.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:6-9)