No One Likes A Whiner

“And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness”.  Exodus 16:2

Have you ever attempted to go through a whole day without complaining about anything?  It is quite a challenge.  We are so used to our comforts, our plans, our itineraries, and our habits that we tend to get upset when things don’t seem to be going our way.  We complain that it’s too hot, too cold, too much rain, or too dry.  Our favorite TV program gets pre-empted by a special broadcast, usually not one we want to view.  Our cake didn’t turn out right, lop-sided and burned on one side.  We open our packed closet and complain that we have nothing to wear.  Our refrigerator and pantry are fully stocked yet we have nothing to eat.  We always manage to get in the slowest line at the grocery store.  We dread unloading the dishwasher, but we end up doing it because we have to reload it with the dirty dishes that were soiled by the food that we said we didn’t have.  I could go on and on, but you get the picture.  We complain over such trivial matters.  Poor, poor, pitiful me.

Of course, there are a lot of serious problems going on in our nation today of which there is no end of complaints no matter to which party one’s political views lean.  It seems like all the complaining has not done a lot to solve these problems.  Matter of fact, they only seem to be getting worse as each day goes by.  There are citizens, and not politicians, who are trying to stem the tide of corruptness that is engulfing the nation, but it almost, I said almost, seems futile.  There are too many differing views about what should be done to quell the distrust and confusion that has become the national mantra.  Many pundits and news commentators have said that they have never seen it this bad before, and I agree with them.  I am older than most of them and have had more years by which to compare our current situation.  There have been plenty of hard times since I have been on this earth, but up until now, or perhaps up until the last few years, we have been able to weather these storms because we have been united for the most part.  Most of us were patriotic Americans and many still are but their voices are being drowned out by the cancel culture.  However, I do see the tide beginning to turn.  Imagine being a Rip Van Winkle like character, asleep for many years, and then awakening to see how things have drastically changed.  You would probably want to go back to sleep and forget what you had witnessed in this world of turmoil.  Even as bad as it is, I am not giving up.  I still have hope because of Jesus.  He is still on the throne and is aware of everything happening in the world today.  His plans for His return are all set, and He is just waiting for the signal from His Father before He sets foot on Mt. Olive.

The children of Israel had been freed from 400 years of slavery in Egypt, but it didn’t take long for them to start complaining.  When they murmured, God would supply them with what they needed, but then they would complain about that or something else.  All that their complaining, moaning, and griping got them was 40 years of wandering in the wilderness when they could have reached the promised land in less than two weeks.  But before we criticize them, we are no different.  It is part of that sinful nature with which we were born that makes us dissatisfied with the status quo.  We always think that if things were different, then everything would be better for us, but no matter how much of what we desire we receive, we are still not satisfied.  Many never seem to learn that earthly desires never quench that void that only Christ can fill.

I remember the words that my uncle said when he was called on at church to pray.  He said, “Thank you Lord that things are as well with us as what they are.”  It may be frightening, depressing, and demoralizing to be in this world now, but it can get much worse.  My hope is not in politicians, policies that continue to throw money away at problems without ever really solving them, or in spending my time worrying and fretting, particularly over things of which I cannot control.  What I can control is to limit my complaining and turn those complaints into action.  Of course, there’s not much that one person can do alone, but with the Lord, anything is possible.  It is true what Tina Turner sang, “We don’t need another hero”; what we need are some folks willing to pull out their arsenal of prayer, Bible study, and being a blessing to others.  If we dwell on all the good things that God has done for us and stay on our knees in prayer, it is a little easier to put more gratitude in our attitude.