Three feet of new snow makes me grumpy. Okay. Okay. I grumbled. I complained. I spoke against. I moaned. I groused. I protested. I griped, I objected. I muttered. I bellyached. Lots of synonyms, huh?
The Israelites grumbled: bitter water, no meat, miserable food, adversity, enemies.
“Because the LORD hates us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt . . . to destroy us” (Deuteronomy 1:26-27).
“They grumbled in their tents; they did not listen to the voice of the LORD” (Psalm 106:25).
Who is behind the things we grumble about?
I grumbled at lots (and lots) of new snow, knowing it would take hours of work to dig out. But who caused the snowstorm?
The Lord made it clear the Israelites were grumbling at Him.
“The LORD hears your grumblings which you grumble against Him” (Exodux 16:8).
I have heard the complaints of the sons of Israel, which they are making against Me” (Numbers 14:27).
The Lord does not like grumbling.
“Nor let us … grumble, as some of them did, and were destroyed by the destroyer” (2 Corinthians 10:10).
He destroyed many of the Israelites for grumbling. He killed them . . . for grumbling. Clearly, He takes grumbling seriously.
The issue is not what we’re grumbling about. It is WHO we are grumbling about.
Are you, am I, characterized by grumbling? Or by gratitude?
I want my life attitude to be gratitude. How about you?
Here is how to stop grumbling:
1) Catch yourself grumbling. That may be harder than you think, especially if grumbling is an ingrained habit. Identify a grumble as soon as possible. Catch yourself in the act. (I’m talking to myself, too.) Stop while you tackle steps 2 and 3.
2) Review the basics. God is sovereign. He caused or allowed whatever you’re grumbling about. It is part of His plan for you. God loves you and promises to bring good out of whatever it is. He has a loving purpose for what you are going through.
3) Substitute thanksgiving for grumbling. It isn’t feasible to just stop grumbling, you need to put something else in its place. Tune in next week to hear more.
Questions for you:
How much do you grumble?
Do you want to stop?
What are you going to do?
