Encouragement to not complain about one's lot in life. Ever!

Someone posted this today on one of my yahoo groups. I really needed to read it, maybe you do, too!

HOME DESTROYERS

Part 4

Philippians 2:14-15, "Do all things without murmurings and disputing: that
ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke,in the
midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the
world."

We are up to No. 4 today. One more to go in this series.

4. COMPLAINING

Psalm 106:25, "They murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the
voice of the Lord." Read the story in Numbers chapter 14, especially verses
2 and 27.

Where were the people complaining? In their tents, which were their dwelling
places in the wilderness. Where does most complaining happen? In the home.
But what does it do? It tears down the home, whether we complain about our
circumstances, the work we have to do, or our husband. Not only do the walls
of our home hear it, but our children hear it--and God hears it!

The children of Israel murmured and complained against Moses and Aaron, but
when God heard it, He said they were complaining against Him. God says in
Numbers 14:27, "How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which
murmur against Me? I have heard the murmuring of the children of Israel,
which they murmur against Me." Stop press! Help! When we murmur and complain
about all our problems, God hears it as murmuring against Him.

The ten spies had returned from spying out the land of Canaan. It was a land
flowing with milk and honey, but they complained about the fortified cities
and the giants they would have to fight. It looked impossible! Even after
all the miracles of coming out of Egypt and provision in the wilderness,
they did not believe God could help them. They blamed Moses for bringing
them out of Egypt. They complained that all their children would be taken as
salves.

What happened? God told them, "Get back into the wilderness.. ." He told them
that they would all die in the wilderness and their children who they
complained would be taken as slaves would be the ones who would go into this
magnificent land. Where do we end up when we complain? In the wilderness.

Wives and mothers,

we take our families into

a wilderness journey

when we complain!

The root of complaining is unbelief. "Can God furnish a table in the
wilderness?" The Israelites cried out in unbelief. (Psalm 78:19). "How could
we ever have another baby?" you cry out in unbelief. "We can hardly make
ends meet now!" "How can we afford to educate our children?" "How can I put
up with this little house any longer? I need more room" And so it goes on.

Here's a good habit to start. Change every sigh into a Hallelujah! Every
time you are tempted to complain, turn your heart to the Lord and
acknowledge His power and His presence. "Thank you, Lord, I trust you. I
know that you are ordering my footsteps. I thank you that you are with me in
these circumstances. " It will take time to establish this new habit, but
keep at it.

It doesn't mean that your circumstances will necessarily change, but you
will change. God promises in Isaiah 43:1-3 that when you pass through the
waters, that "I will be with you. They will not overflow you." God says that
when you go through the fire that "You will not be burned, neither shall the
flame kindle upon you."

What is our confession? "I'm going through a fiery trial. I don't know how I
can make it." Or, "Thank you, Lord, no matter how hot it gets, I will not be
burned because you are with me!"

I remember when complaining as a young child that my mother would
immediately direct me to think about those who were poor and suffering in
the world and didn't have all the blessings that I had. It's not a bad idea.
There are millions in the world who live in abject poverty, without running
water, adequate food, shelter or any of the basic amenities of life which we
are used to. My husband, who has ministered in the slums of India and many
third world countries, often says, "Just to live in a tent in America makes
you a millionaire! "

I think about the Karen people, the displaced people of Burma who have been
fighting a genocidal war against them from the Burmese government for over
50 years. We complain about keeping up with homeschooling. The Karen try to
school their children while they live in hiding. We complain when things are
not just as we want them when we give birth. Many Karen mothers give birth
while running from the enemy. No time for recovery. No time for relaxing
with their baby. No gifts. No excited calls from family and friends.

The wife the founder of the "Free Burma Rangers" shares about the love,
forgiveness and generosity of the Karen, even in the midst of suffering and
hardship. She says, "The gifts they gave were of themselves-- their time,
energy and love. In my experience in the West it is easier to go to the
store and buy a trinket as a gift. For this reason I have chosen to raise my
children in this war. The influence of these people is something I have
never experienced anywhere else."