Why We Should Stop Complaining

There are two (2) things the Israelites did very well, forget and complain. When the Israelites lived in Egypt, they were slaves in a hopeless situation. They cried out to God and He heard them, then delivered them, in one of the greatest rescue stories ever told. However, they quickly forgot how the Lord set them free from Egyptian slavery and over 400 years of bondage. They also forgot how the Lord split the Red Sea and allowed them to walk through on dry land to escape their enemies. If you were to read through the scriptures, the Lord clearly made His case as to His willingness to be their sole provider. But that didn’t seem to be enough to please them. Exodus 15:22-25 provides more insight and explains how only three (3) short days after they crossed the Red Sea, they began complaining.

“Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah). So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”” They had gone three (3) days without water and were most likely physically drained, irritated and upset. This was an inconvenient situation to say the least and they probably believed their complaints were justified. But here’s the reality, they were ungrateful. They forgot that 72 hours prior they were slaves under the harsh rule of the Egyptians and the Lord answered their cries for help and set them free from bondage. But as soon as they faced an inconvenient situation they stopped focusing on what God had given them (freedom), and they began to focus on what they didn’t have (water). This produced ungratefulness and that ungratefulness began to cloud their thinking. When ungratefulness meets inconvenience it produces complaining. 

I wish I could say grumbling began and ended with the old testament Jews, but that would be far from true. We, too, have witnessed great displays of God’s provision and His providential care and still complain about trivial matters. Just yesterday I was complaining about how hot the temperature was outside. Instead of enjoying the glorious sunshine and the time He allowed me to share with my family. I have so many things to be thankful for. So why do we complain? Is it because, like the Israelites, we easily forget what God has done for us? Yes it is. Most of us understand gratefulness is the remedy to our complaining. But I want to give you a slightly different perspective on this subject by asking a different question.  

Why should we stop complaining? You may say, “Because we should be grateful.” Although this is true, this is an incomplete answer. Here’s why we should stop complaining: because ultimately, all our complaints are directed against God. Complaining implies you have a better strategy than the sovereign God and He would be wise to seek your advice. Complaining elevates your wisdom and suggests God’s judgement is in some way flawed. When we complain, we’re not trusting in His sovereignty. Lord help us to stay away from the sin of complaining and grumbling. 

My prayer for you today is that, unlike the Israelites, you remember what God has done for you and how He’s provided you with true freedom through Christ. This will keep you from complaining and help you to maintain a grateful heart toward a God who is well deserving.