Monday, October 29, 2018


Desert of Discontent
By Susan Klein

“‘Stop grumbling among yourselves,’ Jesus answered.”
John 6:43 (NIV)

If complaining or grumbling doesn’t really accomplish anything, why do you suppose we do it? Perhaps we do it to let off some emotional steam over a situation that frustrates us. But if we were honest, we’d admit that the satisfaction of venting is momentary at best. The situation still exists if nothing has been done to change it. Could it really be that complaining just gratifies our sinful nature of wanting things our own way? And, by voicing our dissatisfaction out loud, aren’t we really hoping others will jump on our grumbling wagon and join us on our journey of discontent? Some would say, “Oh, what’s wrong with a little harmless grumbling?” Plenty!

Grumbling is more than just words. It stems from a wrong heart attitude, one that is likely communicating ungratefulness. God not only hears our grumbling, but He sees our hearts. Ingratitude is a guaranteed wall-builder between us and God, and that’s not harmless. He has ordained every situation in our lives, the good and the bad. When we grumble, we are inevitably voicing ungratefulness to Him. In Scripture, we learn about the Israelites complaining while wandering in the wilderness. Even though God went before them in a cloud, even though He always provided food and water, even though He protected them from their enemies, they grumbled. They were afraid, they were tired, they didn’t like the food, didn’t like their leadership… (Sound familiar?) In Numbers 11:1 (NIV) we read, “Now the people complained abut their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when He heard them His anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp.” Yikes! What if God chose to rain down fire every time He heard us complain? Fortunately for us, that’s not His standard response.

In 1 Corinthians chapter 10, Paul shows us that some things never change as he addresses more grumblers in the church. He reminds them about their forefathers’ grumblings and how some of them were killed by the destroying angel. He admonishes them, saying these things “were written down as warnings for us. (vs. 10-11, NIV)” Let’s learn from them.

God still sees and still hears. While He may not send down literal fire to consume us, He can let us get burned by our own words. He can also let us wander in the desert of our discontent. We may not receive any relief until we stop complaining, focus our energies on doing something proactive, and seek Him.

Let an attitude of gratitude be your oasis amidst a desert of discontent.

GOING DEEPER:
1. What consequences of complaining might you be currently experiencing?
2. How can you avoid riding the grumbling wagon?

FURTHER READING:

Susan is married to Mark, and co-leads an in-home small group. She serves as a mentor to young women, and is a member of Oakwood’s Peace Team, helping people work through conflict.