Key Bible Verse: Don't grumble as some of them did, for that is why God sent his angel of death. … These events … were written down to warn us (1 Corinthians 10:10-11). Bonus Reading: Numbers 11:1-6

Why is complaining such a battle when we all agree that complaining changes nothing? Because complaining satisfies our sinful natures. It releases negative emotional energy in a way that provides momentary relief from a situation that is frustrating us. That's why we're not likely to consider eliminating our complaining until we learn how destructive it is.

[Today's Bonus Reading] is Moses' "journal entry" from one day in the wilderness with his people. They are standing somewhere on the edge of their makeshift city, whining and grumbling about something. Maybe it was Moses' leadership style, or maybe it was the food, or the weather, or a very draining, difficult person. Whatever the subject, it was the final straw for God, and he sent fire among the whole group. If that doesn't tell you how God feels about complaining, nothing will.

I complain about incompetence, I complain about traffic and pressure and weather and moral decline and … I'm really thankful to God for a wife who many times has taken me aside and said, "You know what? Your complaints aren't helping anything. We need to stop and pray about this."

—James MacDonald in Lord, Change My Attitude

My Response: Has my griping about problems itself become a problem? How could I deliberately change?

Thought to Apply: Rich folks always talk hard times. —Lillian Smith (author)

Adapted from Lord, Change My Attitude (Moody, 2001) by permission.

Prayer for the Week

Teach me, Lord, to avoid complaining, since You are offended by the lack of trust it reveals.

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