The Complain Train

Get off of the complain train!!! It is a ride whose destination ultimately leads to delay and destruction. We cannot afford to be on this train because it deprives us of real joy, true peace, and it makes our journey difficult. This train's voyage is dangerous and without proper assistance to disembark we will find ourselves heading in a direction with dire consequences.

I know! To complain is natural and we all have expressed grief or discontentment about something or someone at some point in our lives, especially the year 2020 and the four years before it. But consistent and constant complaining is a problem for God's people. Do you remember the Israelites' passage from Egypt to the Promised land? It was one filled with constant complaints against Moses, Aaron, and ultimately God. The people complained about everything - the water, food, and especially the leadership. At one point on their journey the people's complaining caused God to say, "How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? I will strike them down with a plague and destroy them... How long will these evil people continue to complain against Me? I have heard their complaints and their griping. So tell them that The Lord says that He will surely do all those things that He heard you complain about." (Numbers 14:1-12; 26-28). Look! Their constant complaining led to a devastating result. They showed a lack of faith and trust in God's ability to deliver and protect them, even though they were eyewitnesses of His miraculous presence and power among them. Their constant complaining resulted in an extended stay in the desert and the people 20 years and older received a death sentence. The things they complained about is what they received!

This is our caution. We do not want these results. We must monitor what we say! When we get caught up in the spin cycle of complaining it affects our witness, our testimony, and our lives. If we constantly complain we are giving indication that we do not trust or rely upon God to do what He said He would do. We are essentially doubting God's ability and willingness to help! Constantly complaining, like the Israelites, shows that we have forgotten about God's past provisions as well as His care and protection. We must remember that God has made promises to His people and He does not lie! Yes, the journey gets hard, and troubles do arise, but we must resist the temptation to resort to complaining. Instead, we need to continually remind ourselves during these difficulties that God is present with us! He has not abandoned us! He promised never to leave us! He has a good plan for us. His plans are to prosper us and not to harm us. His plan is to give us hope and a future. (Jer. 29:11) Be on alert, though. Watch your tongue! Words matter! Be careful of your associations, too, because bad company corrupts good character. (1 Cor. 15:33) These promises of God and remembering His character is a good remedy against constant complaining.

Jesus said that we are the light that shines for the world to see and that we are like a city built on a hill that cannot be hidden. He said that our lights are to shine before others so that they will see the good things we do and praise our Father in heaven! (Matthew 5:14-16) It is important for us to remember who we are and how impactful our lives can be for others. What is the message you want to relay about our God? If you are on the complain train...it is time to GET OFF!!!

Blessings to you!