Matters of the Heart
by Joan Rono
Recently the Lord has been speaking to me about grumbling and complaining! It’s not so easy when the Lord points something like this out in our lives. But as He reveals what’s in our heart, we can get a chance to repent and put things right with Him!
After a long journey from Egypt, the children of Israel had seen the Lord do wonders in their midst. He carried them through some of the difficult obstacles and problems, and provided for their needs. Yet when they were faced with minor problems along the way, they quickly started grumbling against Moses, and against the Lord! ‘How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me’ (Numbers 14:27).
It’s easy to point a finger at them because we’re reading the whole story, but, as we look into our day-to-day lives, the decisions we make minute by minute are crucial. They show whether our heart attitude is to grumble. Are we approaching life with a thankful and content heart, or with a grumbling and complaining attitude?
All the time things happen, and we have a choice about how to react. Things happen in our lives, families, or nations, which affect us. It could even be a simple thing like a change in the weather. Are we able to be grateful for what we have, or are we dissatisfied and discontented, so we grumble and moan?
There are many roots which produce the fruit of grumbling, and one of the main ones is pride. We mostly complain and grumble because we feel we deserve something better! I believe humility enables us to be content.
Another cause of grumbling is doubt. When we doubt the ability of God to meet the needs we have, we see everything as a mountain, and impossible to move. But, as we trust and believe in the power of God, we can pray, trust, and wait on God, with a thankful heart, to meet our needs.
Instead of grumbling and complaining about our leaders or government, we should learn to pray. We should be receiving everything with thanksgiving. Paul advises us also to be thankful in our trials! Yet, when we’re in distress, the last thing we think of is to say “thank You, Lord”. That should be our first thought.
God hates grumbling. In the wilderness, one of the things that triggered God’s wrath on the congregation of Israel was their grumbling. So let’s examine our hearts and see where we need to repent, and let’s trust God with everything.
Prayer: Lord, I ask for Your forgiveness for my grumbling and ungratefulness. Help me to learn humility and gratitude in all circumstances. I’m truly thankful for everything You’ve done for me. Teach me to trust You always. Amen.
Joan Rono has been involved with Ellel ministries since 2008,working at Ellel grange for 5 years before moving to Ellel Blairmore in 2013 to work as hospitality coordinator. Having walked the Healing Journey, Joan has a passion to see others healed and transformed. She also has a passion to see young people walk in purity and holiness. She enjoys walking and reading in her spare time.
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