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 has two adult children. She enjoys teaching Bible studies, writing
and tutoring with the Literacy Council.
