Do You Grumble And Complain To The Lord?

Can recalling God’s faithfulness convict you to stop complaining? Karlton explains.

“How long will this wicked community grumble against me? I have heard the complaints of these grumbling Israelites” (Numbers 14:27).

I have noticed a pattern over the years. Problems arise, then I get angry and gripe, complain, often worry–yet things work out. Things don’t work out because of my grumbling, but in spite of my grumbling and complaining.

I read about the Israelites in the Old Testament and how the Lord led them out of Egypt, working miracle after miracle for them. Yet, they did not believe and trust God when new problems arose, despite everything they had seen the Lord do. It seems confounding!

My first thought when I think about those stories is Boy, those people were foolish! Why didn’t they trust the Lord to take care of them no matter what?

But then I’m convicted. I know I am also often forgetful and foolish when I realize that current crises–just like past problems–will get solved, for the Lord is with us. He hears our prayers and meets our needs.

Worrying, griping, complaining–these are bad habits for Christians who have the Lord with us, His angels watching over us, and an entire Book of promises made to us. I don’t know about you, but I’m resolved to go right to the believing phase and skip the griping and complaining stage as new problems arise.

There is nothing wrong with taking our concerns to the Lord. Sometimes He is the only one we can pour out our frustrations to. Yet once we have done so, we should start trusting and stop complaining.

The Lord never forsakes His children, and He will meet our needs. Once we have given our concerns over to Him, we need to let them go and Let God work things out.

Prayer: Dear Lord, forgive our shortsightedness. When we are tempted to see and think the worst, help us to remember You have our best interests and blessings ahead . . . no matter what life throws at us. Amen.

About the Author:
Karlton Douglas lives in Ohio with his lovely wife. He is resolved to complain less and to give God thanks instead.

Do you have a habit of complaining . . . or believing?

This is the song “Never Look Away” by “The Museum.” It is a song about God’s love and now He desires to be with us. We really don’t have much to complain about when we can remember He is God–who came to live among us.-Lisa