No More Complaining

Everyone knows a complainer.

You know the guy I’m talking about. You’re in a restaurant and everything can look and taste just right, but this guy will still find something to complain about.

Maybe you’re “that guy”. You’ve got a problem with complaining.

Well you’re not alone.

The world is full of complainers, but nowhere are complainers better depicted than in the Old Testament. God chose the people of Israel as His own special people. He did miracle after amazing miracle right before their eyes. He delivered them from their enemies time and again. And all He got for it was a bunch of whining and complaining.

I’m seriously not exaggerating. It didn’t matter where they were or what they were doing, those folks could find a reason to complain.

Sounds a lot like some of us…

As I’ve just finished the book of Numbers, I’ve made some observations about complaining.

Complaining is a serious offense. We tend to rate it with the lesser sins, yet it is one of the most serious sins mentioned about the Israelites.

Complaining can be overcome. God never disciplines us or corrects us in an area of our life if He doesn’t think that there is a better way. He wants us to stop complaining and start praising.

Complaining can be avoided. Even though Moses spent every minute of his 40 wilderness years with the Israelites he never joined them in their complaining.

How did Moses avoid getting sucked into the trap of complaining? How did he keep from being pulled downstream with the negativity surrounding him?

I’d like to share 4 ways to avoid a spirit of complaining based on Moses’ example vs the people of Israel:

1. He looked ahead while they looked behind . It’s true. Moses kept his eyes on the promised land while the Israelites kept their eyes on Egypt. What are you fixing your eyes on?

2. He talked to God while they talked to each other . The surest way to turn into a complainer is to spend more time on your horizontal relationships than on your vertical one. Maintain a Godly perspective by checking in with God daily!

3. He listened while they talked . Do you want to seriously stop complaining? Simply try talking less and listening more. It’s amazing how much that will work for you!

4. He walked close to God while they walked farther away from God . Anytime you saw Moses He was as close to God as one could be. In fact, Joshua understood this so well that He copied Moses’ pattern. The result was that Joshua too avoided the spirit of complaining. You cannot be near God and maintain an ungrateful attitude. How closely are you walking to the Father?

Out with complaining and in with thanksgiving.

Are you willing to try it?

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