From Complaining to Inquiring

Can we also fall into grumbling and complaining against the Lord due to our circumstances?

I've been reading the book of Exodus in the Bible recently. Exodus contains the story of God liberating the Israelite people from slavery in Egypt and bringing them to the land that He promised to their forefathers. It's a fascinating narrative with so many lessons we can learn from.

One of the astounding parts of the Exodus story is how the Israelites often grumbled and complained against God and His servant, Moses (leader of the Israelites). They would complain about food and water and they would go as far as to desire to return to slavery even after all that God had done for them.

Here's a line from Exodus that captures their rebellion: "And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, 'Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger'" (Ex. 16:2-3 ESV). Of course, God wasn't pleased with their grumbling.

Can we also fall into grumbling and complaining against the Lord due to our circumstances? Perhaps there's something that we really want from God and He doesn't seem to be giving it to us. Perhaps we find ourselves in a hard season in life and it doesn't seem like God is showing up to bring relief. Like the Israelites, we can easily succumb to complaining to God about our situations in life. When we complain to God, we often forget all the things that He has already done for us. We become ungrateful.

But what's the alternative to grumbling? What could the Israelites have done instead of complaining to God and Moses? They certainly needed food and water if they were to survive in the wilderness. But here's the thing: they didn't have to complain about it. Instead of resorting to complaining, perhaps the Israelites could have simply inquired of God about what to do with their problem. And God would have provided the right solution at the right time to the problem they were facing.

Instead of responding right away with complaining to God, may we learn to simply come to Him inquiring about what to do with our circumstances. If we humbly come before God, would He not provide us with His guidance and wisdom? God delights in giving us guidance. It says this in the book of James: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him" (Jam. 1:5 ESV). We miss out on God's direction if we don't come before Him in genuine prayer and contemplation. It's no wonder then that we get frustrated about our situations in life and end up complaining to Him. The next time you feel like complaining to God about your circumstances, try inquiring of the Lord about what to do instead. God will provide you with the wisdom and guidance that you need for any situation in life.

Barnabas the Monastic

Servant of Christ. Husband. Dad. Modern Monastic. I have a wild ambition in life: get as close to the Lord Jesus Christ as I can while on earth. I explore and integrate ancient Christian monk wisdom in modern everyday life. Lives in Canada.