Grumble, Grumble

Numbers 20:4 KJV
And why have ye brought up the congregation of the Lord into this wilderness, that we and our cattle should die there?

Over and over and over, we see the children of Israel complain in the wilderness. Now, as someone who doesn’t view the idea of camping as fun, I get their complaints. I wouldn’t want to live in a tent, I wouldn’t want to wear the same clothes everyday, and I wouldn’t want to eat the same food everyday.

We all have complaints about work, our spouse, our kids, church, etc. There will always be things that annoy us about the people we’re around and the places we stay. So while I understand the children of Israel’s complaints, it doesn’t mean I condone them. Why?

Proverbs 18:21 KJV
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

This verse from the book of wisdom tells us our tongue is a very powerful tool. We can grumble and complain and bring death into our heart and soul OR we can focus on the positive attributes of the people we’re around, the places we go, and the situations we’re in.

When we focus on the good things in a situation it means we’re speaking life. Speaking life makes us more content and helps us to appreciate the work of those around us.

Let me give you an example for the children of Israel. Let’s turn their grumbling into speaking life:

Moses, thank you for being obedient to God’s call. Had you not obeyed, we would still be slaves in Egypt. God, thank you for providing us with food and water out here in the wilderness where there is nothing else available and thank you for the hope we have of the land of milk and honey where we’re going.

Speaking life can completely change our attitude and outlook. We can all be realistic about a situation, but when we focus on the positives, we become more content.

I desire to be content.

Philippians 4:11 - Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:12 - I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.