Trying Not to Complain

I attend a weekly Bible study that takes place on Monday nights and this last study was about how Miriam and Aaron spoke against their brother Moses as he was leading them to the Promised Land. Because of this "bad talk", God put leprousy on Miriam and she was banned to outside the camp for 7 days! It was also about how the Isrealites complained about the "lack of food" that they had in the desert. The cried out to Moses about how when they were in Egypt, they had a variety of fruit and vegatbles and fish to eat and that they were unhappy with the manna that God provided to them in the desert. What they didn't remember is that while they were in Egypt, sure they had good food, but they also slavery. Because of their complaining, God sent fire to the camp and that killed some people near the outside of the camp. He also sent them so much quail that it made them sick!

One thing that I took from the lecture part of the Bible study night was this: when we complain, we are complaining against God and his plans for us and he becomes angry. It has been hard, but since Monday night, I have really tried to focus on not complaining about things I should be thankful for such as my job and a place to live. God has brought me to this area and to this point in my life for a reason; it is all part of his plan. Sure, there are days where I am not all that excited to go to work, but I work for a Christian company with fellow believers; what a blessing that is! Yes, there are times where I totally dislike living in an apartment, but the apartment is nice and in a great area and it's a place to live, so I should be thankful. I also have times where I get down about not being able to buy a house because it's "just not working out", but I should focus on the fact that we are blessed to even have the capacity to buy a house once the Lord provides one for us and opens that door for us. Unfortunately, the things we complain about most of the time are just that: things. We want a better car, better paying job, nice house/place to live, but those are not the important things in life. We need to focus our hearts on what God wants for us and not complain about what we don't have, but rather, be thankful for what we do have!

Another lesson I learned is that when I am going through a struggle (because they will come), I should cry out to God rather than anyone else. God is the one with the answers and it is important to go to the source rather than do what the Israelites did and complain to another person. God is the one who can change situations, not people. Go to the One who brought you to where you are; ask him to help you through the difficult times. He will be there for you! God never gives you anything you can't handle.