I have to admit, the first days of the new year have
been a bit rough. Viruses and the respiratory flu have come to stay in spite of
the fact that they weren't invited.
I've noticed a familiar pattern when I feel less
than my best; something I'm not proud of -- I complain. Because good health is the norm, it's easy to
justify my complaints. But complaining is toxic.
Just like poison, complaining taints everything it
touches. When I begin a conversation with a complaint, I set the tone for
others to add more of the same. Negativity creates a downward spiral that leads
to hopelessness.
Consider the children of Israel. They had been set free
from the bondage of slavery. God had done the miraculous and released them from
their cruel taskmasters, the Egyptians. Instead of continuing to trust God to
provide for their physical needs, they chose to complain.
Listen to one
of their pity parties:
"And the whole congregation of the children of
Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness: And the children of
Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the Lord in the
land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the
full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly
with hunger," (Exodus 16:2-3; KJV).
Really? Was the food in Egypt that good? Had they
forgotten the hard labor and beatings they had endured at the hand of the
Egyptians? Probably not. But when circumstances were far from ideal, complaining
was easier than exercising faith.
Unfortunately, this became a prevalent attitude. From their Exodus out of Egypt until
they stood poised to possess the Promised Land, the Israelites demonstrated a recurring
pattern of complaints that dotted the landscape over which they traveled.
Did this negative attitude have much of an impact on
them? Definitely. It's no secret that they wandered in the wilderness for 40
years following a major bout of complaining.
After the twelve Israelites returned from spying out
the Promised Land, their negative report enticed the rest of the people to
voice their doubts: "And all the children
of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation
said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God
we had died in this wilderness," (Numbers 14:2). They were so discouraged
they were ready to elect a captain to lead them back to Egypt.
I often shake my head in disgust at the lack of
faith displayed by this large group of people. Hadn't they seen God work on
their behalf? Surely they would trust Him by now. Then I realize I act just
like them. God has done some pretty amazing things in my life, yet I fall back
into the rut of complaining when things don't go the way I expect them to.
But I have a choice. I can choose to trust God and
praise Him in spite of how I feel and regardless of my circumstances. I can
agree with God that complaining is sin, and pray the words of the Psalmist:
"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable
in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer," (Psalm 19:14).
Today, I choose to praise the Lord and use words
that give hope.
Do you complain? What step will you take to
eliminate complaints from your conversations today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder
that complaining is sin. Help me remember the example of the Israelites when
I'm tempted to grumble. You've given me so many reasons to praise You. Help me
trust You every day and to praise You even when things are difficult. Thank You
for the hope You give me. In Jesus'
name, Amen.
*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Join in the conversation!
