New Year, New You: Stop Complaining
Did you know that the opposite of joy is complaining? At times we feel sad and discontent and we don’t even know why. One of the reasons that you may be feeling down is because perhaps you have been complaining. As we see in the story of the Israelites, they weren’t happy with their current situation (right after God delivered them into freedom from Egypt!). Here’s 5 ways they complained and how they are related to us:
#1 – The people complained to Moses that because of Him and His talk of a promise land, Pharaoh made things worse for them – Exodus 5:1-22 This is when the enemy creates pressure at home, at work or school to discourage you at the beginning of your Christian walk. Out of nowhere, your responsibilities at home, work or school suddenly increases and requires you to meet impossible deadlines and quotas. Your workload and the extra overtime “scatters” (verse 12) you, and you feel like you are taking a “beating” (verse 14).Your family, your boss or supervisor blames you and your sudden interest in “Christian things” for not being able to do the job.
#2 – The people complained and said to Moses “let us alone” – Exodus 14:11-12 This is when you are faced with what seems like an impossible situation all because you listened to your godly friends or leaders. You wonder if this “Christian thing” is worth it. We sometimes blame the preacher or our Christian friend who has been witnessing to us for all the new drama and pressure in our life.
#3 – The people complained about the bitter water – Exodus 15:22 This is when you are faced with the bitterness of changing your diet from the things of the world to the things of God. Like asking a child to go from sugary foods to eating their vegetables, it never happens without a protest.
#4 – The people complained about being hungry; God gave them Manna – Exodus 16:1-4 This is when your spiritual growth produces greater hunger. However, its the not the earthly food we are used to; God begins to feed you with heavenly food.
#5 – The people complained about being thirsty – Exodus 17:1-4 This is when your spiritual growth produces greater thirst.