COMPLAINING IS POISON

“Now when the people complained, it displeased the LORD; for the LORD heard it, and His anger was aroused. So, the fire of the LORD burned among them…” ~ Numbers 11:1

REFERENCE:

Numbers 11:1-6

Things are tough. Life is hard. I am underpaid. This country is terrible. Nothing ever works out for me. Why am I still at this level? Have you heard someone around you say any of these before, or have you been guilty yourself? With everything happening around us, it is almost impossible not to say such things; but that is complaining. Complaining displeases God. It is poison and can kill.

Complaining is a choice. Really? Yes. What you complain about, another sees as a reason for thanksgiving; this is what makes it a choice. It is a product of wrong seeing, thinking, and judgment. After Israel’s deliverance from Egypt, they left with silver and gold, the pillar of cloud and fire kept them from Pharaoh’s army, the Red Sea parted for them, and Pharaoh’s army drowned. God fed them with manna, but now they complained they did not have meat. They wanted a new menu.

Israel failed to see all these miracles and special favors but focused on the negatives. Hence, a fire burned in their camp and consumed some of them. Complaining invokes God’s displeasure and can cause you to lose the grounds you once covered. The people lost their lives and valuables because they lacked value for what they had. When you think that God is unfair and could have done better, the poison of complaining starts seeping into your heart.

A Monk belonging to a strict order was allowed to say only two words every two years. After the first two years, he told the Monk Elder, “Bad bed.” Two years later, he came to say, “Bad food.” After two more years of silence, the monk said, “No TV.” Another two years passed. This time the monk appeared with his little bag in hand and announced, “I quit.” The Monk Elder answered, “I am not surprised. You have done nothing but complain since you got here!”

If you keep complaining, you will eventually quit on life, people, or things important to you. Your words will ultimately condition your heart and life. Choose how you see life and what your mind dwells on. Fight any thought that contradicts scripture in prayer. Confess the word and be thankful in all things. Put negativity away from your lips, so your mouth will not ruin what you value. Spare your life from the poison of complaining; rejoice in the Lord always!

PHOTO QUOTE

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Ecclesiastes 5:6 (MSG), I Thessalonians 5:16-18, Philippians 2:14-16

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PRAYERS:

+ Lord, forgive me for the sin of complaining. Please give me the discipline to choose what I dwell on per time, to focus more on what is working than on what is not.

+ I refuse to let my mouth destroy the things I value. I replace complaining with thanksgiving.

+ Thank You, Lord, for my life, status, health, family, job, etc. You have done me well, O Lord.