Grumbling Is Easy… “All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this desert!” Numbers 14:2
It is easier to grumble than to be a part of the solution. We fail to trust God. Someone has let you down: a friend, a parent, a spouse, a child, a co-worker, your Pastor or the Lord. The temptation is to grumble about them for inflicting pain in your life. Before you succumb to temptation remember that every human being at one time or another will let you down. If we are not careful, we can spend our life grumbling at not getting our way.
What a miserable state to live. Instead of representing hope in Jesus and reaching the world for Him, we confine ourselves to our own little circumstance grumbling against those with whom we have set up unrealistic and artificial expectations. Just the pronunciation of the word grumble is depressing… G-R-U-M-B-L-E.
Grumblers have a short memory. Spiritual amnesia sets in and they forget God’s track record of faithfulness. Do you remember all the times He has come through, and what a remarkable experience to see Him at work? And remember those who on most other occasions have served you way beyond the call of duty. We forget about the blessings of the past, our hope in the future and we wallow in the misfortune of the present.
Instead of grumbling, become a part of the solution. Look beyond the present difficulties to the future possibilities. Pray as if everything depends on God, and work as if everything depends on you. By God’s grace you can rise above the polluted air of grumbling, to the clean, crisp, fresh air of encouragement and hope. Grumbling is contagious, so avoid grumblers or they will suck you in like a bad cold on a blistery winter day. Do I grumble to God or am I grateful to God? “Do all things without grumbling or disputing” (Philippians 2:14, NASB).
Related Readings: 1 Kings 19:4; Psalm 106:24-45; Philippians 2:15; Jude 1:16
How will I respond?
