The Complaining Challenge Day 3

Tuesday, November 14

Was yesterday an eye-opener for you? Did you realize how much God detests complaining?

The verse that gripped me most was Numbers 14:27 (NLT) “How long must I put up with this wicked community and its complaints about Me? Yes, I have heard the complaints the Israelites are making against Me.”

Every complaint was really a criticism of God. Whether they were griping about food, leaders or the future, (or anything else they moaned about in the book of Numbers – the book is full of their protests) all of it was really about God and His provision and plan for them. Despite the fact that He had heard their cries for freedom and miraculously intervened in their situation. Despite the fact that He supernaturally protected them from the plagues of Egypt and led them out of bondage with the wealth of Egypt in their pockets. Despite the fact that He astonishingly prevented them from ever being enslaved by the Egyptians again – they could not see His heart to provide, protect and care for them. They could not see His hand powerfully supplying every need. Their complaints kept them from trusting His goodness and seeing His faithfulness. After all He had done, they could not believe.

That is sobering. And lest we look at the Israelites and declare them foolish, we need to realize we do the exact same thing. As ones who are in relationship with Father God through Jesus, every time we complain about anything, we are expressing a lack of confidence in God’s ability or desire to provide what we need.

Think about that. If I complain about my marriage, I’m really saying God does not have the ability to help us work through issues. If I complain about my paycheck or finances, I am saying that God does not have the ability to meet my needs. If I complain about a relationship, I am saying that God won’t give me wisdom to work through conflict and show love. If I complain about a person, I am saying God doesn’t have the desire or ability to help and change them. If I complain about snarly traffic, long lines at the grocery store or ridiculous hold times on the phone, that God does not have the ability to redeem my time. If I complain about trivial, insignificant details, I’m saying that God doesn’t care about those things and doesn’t want to get involved.

Whatever I complain about, I am removing God from the equation, thereby removing hope. The promise of good things to come, the assurance of His supernatural ability to meet any need I have. The confidence that He really does care about me and every single aspect of my life.

Complaining throws up walls and puts blinders on, keeping me from actually seeing God’s heart toward me. It prevents me from seeing how much He loves me and how passionate He is about providing for my every need. That’s why He detests it. It keeps me from seeing who He really is.

And if I can’t see Him, then I won’t engage with Him. If I don’t engage with Him and experience the reality of Who He is for myself, then I will believe any lie the enemy tells me about Him.

Today, let’s look at some verses that declare God’s passionate love and care for us. Let’s soak in these so deeply that this is what surfaces anytime we are tempted to complain about anything.  Meditate on Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 43:1-2, Romans 8:31-32, Psalm 16, Jeremiah 31:3, Jeremiah 29:11

*Remember to ask yourself the Reflection Questions and record your answers when you end the day!  AND connect with your accountability partner!