Complaining

Why are some people so unhappy ? It’s hard to find someone today that doesn’t have a list of complaints. The Bible has much to say about complaining, and none of it is good. Numbers 11:1 says, “And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord”. This has not changed, it still displeases the Lord to hear us complain. Exodus 16:7 says, “…..he heareth your murmurings against the Lord…..”.

Recently I read where someone was questioning why political polls showed 67% of the people were unhappy with the direction the country was headed and wanted change. This individual wondered, “If folks were unhappy because we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day,
7 days a week? Or is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter? Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job? Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time, and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?

Maybe it is the ability to drive from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state? Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter? I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all, and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.

Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames thus saving you, your family and your belongings. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss. This is in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents, and neighborhoods where 90 percent of teenagers own cell phones and computers. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world? Maybe that is what has 67 percent of our people unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S, yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.”

We are among the most blessed people on Earth, and should thank God several times each day, and be thankful and appreciative. It’s not hard to understand why the Lord is unhappy with, “…..murmurers and complainers, walking after their own lusts;…..” (Jude 16). And why we are instructed to “Do all things without murmurings and disputings” (Phil 2:14) and why Jesus said, ““Murmur not among yourselves” in John 6:43