Texts: Numbers 11:1-15, 1 Corinthians 10:1-6
"Replacing The Attitude of Complaining"
The Lord has led the people of Israel out of slavery in Egypt. They had miraculously crossed the Red Sea; the Lord had guided them by the clouds by day and by the pillar of fire by night. They were heading towards the Promised Land with food provided in the form of 'manna' and water to drink from the rock. But the people were not happy, they were not contented and very soon they began to complain and complain about 'their hardships'. What exactly they were complaining we do not know; perhaps the weather, perhaps they were not happy with their leader Moses. Whatever it was it was complaining, complaining IN THE HEARING OF THE LORD!
Verse 4 tells us another reason for their complaining. They were not happy about their food, "If only we had meat to eat!" In Egypt they had cucumbers, melons, leeks, onion garlic. They have lost their appetite eating manna. This text showed us the serious sin of the people that provoked the anger of the Lord. A fire came down from heaven and burned the outer camp.
In 1 Corinthians 10:1-6 - Paul reminded us of the seriousness of this incident. It serves as stern warning that we should not complain or grumble unjustly, because the Lord hears our complaining and grumbling.
What is complaining and why is it such a serious sin? The original word means "to beat the breast"; it means to express pain or displeasure; to be dissatisfied with situation or circumstance. A Biblical definition reads: "Complaining is expressing dissatisfaction with a circumstance that is not wrong and about which I am doing nothing to correct."
Note 1: Circumstance that is not wrong, if it is wrong you are not complaining but exercising your right. Justified complaint. Sinful or unjustified complaint takes aim at circumstance that is not wrong.
Note 2: You have no intention to improve the circumstance, complaining for the sake of complaining.
Why unjustified complaining is a grievous sin?
1. It is a command of the Lord NOT to complain - Philippians 2:14
2. Complaining indirectly accuses god of being inadequate
3. It hurts those you complained against. Leaders, Moses
4. Lack of faith and gratitude to God
5. Hurts you, unpleasant company, miserable outlook
The book of Exodus recorded the complaining, grumbling and murmuring of the Israelites as the travel towards the Promised Land. They were disobedient, unfaithful and ungrateful. They forgot the beatings and forced labor when they were slaves in Egypt. The Lord disciplined them again and again but the majority was unrepentant. The consequence was; one whole generation did not ether the Promised Land.
Three simple steps to overcome this attitude:
1. Acknowledge and confess that you have allowed this attitude to dwell in your heart and mind. Most people deny the fact
2. Repent of the attitude. Repentance is the Master Key of all change process. No repentance = no change
3. Replace the Wrong Attitude with the Right Attitude
The perfect attitude to replace a complaining attitude is:
A Thankful or Grateful Attitude!
Apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 wrote: "Rejoice always, pray constantly and give thanks in ALL circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for YOU!" It is easy to give thanks when the circumstance is favorable to us. But the ability to be thankful in difficult circumstance can only take place when you replace your negative complaining attitude with a positive thankful attitude.
"Gratitude is the mother of all joy." - Mother Teresa. When you are thankful you appreciate life. You are glad to be alive. You praise God for a brand new day; "This is the day that the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!" You have a wonderful disposition and outlook. You are thankful for friends; thankful for creation etc. In fact you radiate joy and it leads you to render joy to others. Thanksgiving leads to thanks living!
Not many Christians achieve this level of change in their attitude. I know we all say 'thank you, thank you' for many occasions. But we say it our of politeness and etiquette without revealing whether we have an attitude of gratitude.
In the Gospel of Luke 17:11-19, Jesus was passing a village when ten lepers begged Him for mercy of healing. Jesus, filled with compassion asked them to go and show themselves to the priest. And as they went they were healed! A little while later only one returned to thank Jesus. Read Luke 17, Jesus noted there were ten lepers, only one came back to give thanks. And he was a Samaritan! The Samaritan praised God with a loud voice, fell down on his face and thanked Jesus, a sign of worship and gratitude.
How is your attitude? Remember attitude is A CHOICE! You choose what you want to be: Like the Israelites in the wilderness? A complaining attitude will keep grounded in the spiritual wilderness. A thankful attitude will make you soar on wings of eagle like the lonely leper.
The Lord says; "Today if you hear my voice, do not harden your heart."
Things To Do:
1. Exercise your attitude daily. Refrain from complaining when tempted. Say 'thank you' as often as possible.
2. Thank at least two persons today. Tell them the reasons.
3. Share in your cell four things you are grateful for.
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TODAY
TODAY I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass us getting watered for free.
TODAY I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.
TODAY I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.
TODAY I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.
TODAY I can cry because roses have thorns or celebrate that thorns have roses.
TODAY I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.
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