How often do you complain? Who do you complain to? Are you complaining to the wrong person? What are you complaining about? Is it something the person you are complaining to can do something to fix it? What if you are really complaining to God without realizing it?
We like to complain. When I was in the Marine Corps, we used to say we were only happy when we were complaining. It was only half a joke. Regardless, it seems we are hearing more complaining now than ever before. Perhaps it is perception, but it seems everyone is complaining.
The Israelites complained, too. They complained to Moses and Aaron. They complained about being hungry. They wished they had died in Egypt. They complained that God had drug them out into the desert to kill them there. Can you hear the complaints? We must remember that the Israelites took the flocks of sheep and goats with them when they left Egypt. Sounds like us, we don’t want to eat the same thing every day.
God hears their complaints and calls on Moses. He tells Moses what he is going to do to provide the Israelites with food. Ultimately, Moses tells the Israelites that they were not complaining about him but complaining about God. There are times we are complaining about God, too. We may be complaining to someone who has no control over the situation; only God has control. Yet, we complain about it anyway. Perhaps we should take time to think before complaining.
I pray we all recognize how often we complain. I pray we decide to reduce our complaining. I pray each one of us will take time to think about the situation and determine who can make a difference. Recognize your complaining. Reduce your complaining. Take time to think.
Exodus 16:2 The whole congregation of the Israelites complained against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness.
Marty Pressey 