With the problems and issues that are in the world today and the many opinions and preferences of individuals, it seems that complaining has become a regular outlet for what many perceive about their surroundings.  In fact, murmuring about who and what a person does not like has become a habitual routine for some. If you have been complaining, you are in good company. Instead of being grateful for how God had miraculously delivered them from Egyptian bondage through the leadership of Moses, the Israelites began to get upset and dissatisfied about how the Lord was providing for them. In Numbers 21:5 “they complained against God and said to Moses, “Did you bring us out of Egypt, just to let us die in the desert? There’s no water out here, and we can’t stand this awful food!”

I have been guilty of complaining – we all have at one time another. However, we can train ourselves to develop an attitude of gratitude. Each day we can choose to reflect on three things we are grateful for, including being thankful for the devastating circumstances that are NOT happening in our lives. The world is full of pain and tragedy. Sometimes it’s easy to think life has dealt us a bad hand until we hear someone else’s story. Writing a “gratitude list” down is even better.  We can keep it before us, and when we sense ourselves wanting to grumble, we can focus on it instead.

Also,God wants us to learn contentment because it shows maturity, and it pleases him. In addition, an ungrateful heart sucks the joy out of our lives and is usually coupled with the following joy stealers:

• Being jealous or covetous of what others have
• Focused on Temporal things instead of eternity
• Ignoring the current blessings, no matter how small

We can glean a lot about thanksgiving from two biblical men of God.  Apostle Paul states, “I am not complaining about having too little. I have learned to be satisfied with whatever I have.”  King David proclaims in Psalm 16:8-9, 11, “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me. No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety. You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.”

PRAY THIS PRAYER:
“Father, every good and perfect gift comes from you.  Thank you Lord for your bountiful blessings, many that I did not deserve like the gift of salvation.  You paid a costly price with your very life, so that I could have abundant life.  Just that alone fills my soul with overwhelming gratitude to you.  I will sing praises to your name O Most High God.  Forgive me for complaining and throwing a tantrum about temporal things. Help me to get my focus on what is most important in this life. In Jesus’ name – Amen.”