Greetings,
One of the strangest behavior all humans have in common is the tendency to complain. In most cases of human complaining, the complaining about a matter is not true to the facts, but instead, the events are contrived romanticisms. True to form, our failure to remember the details accurately undermines the real issues that may be an authentic list of wrongdoings.
A case in point is the wilderness account of the children of Israel after leaving Sinai as they proceeded to the Promised Land (Numbers 10: 11-12). However, true to human forgetfulness, they continue in their behavior of complaining. Exposed is their complaining against God (Numbers 11:4-6), complaining to God (Numbers 11: 10-15), and God as the solution (Numbers 11:16-23).
What were they complaining about-Manna provided by God (now you will have to read the story).
Their behavior teaches two lessons: complaining distorts the facts, leading to a romanticized view of past events, as well, embellishes past hardships, and provides no articulate distinction for the present. Essentially, complaining, as seen in the Israelites complaint narrative, provided them with a false sense of the past and blinded them to the present blessings of God.
However, the beauty of their story is that Moses, although displeased and frustrated with their complaining, reveals God's provision, patience, and promises to a nation of people that complained and were unappreciative for His blessings.
Overall lessons for us today, remembering God's goodness is the antidote to complaining.
Joyful Blessings,
Sylvia Joyner
