Complaint Department

Strengthen

“In the morning, you will see the glorious presence of the Lord.  He has heard your complaints, which are against the Lord and not against us.”  Exodus 16:7

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In every enterprise that I can think of, there is an entity whose sole responsibility it is to manage and [in theory] resolve complaints.What about in life?  Who stands behind the counter of my “Bad Day Complaint Department”?  In all honesty, most days the person that I put in charge of that department is usually my husband.  It usually sounds something like this: “Do you have any idea what YOUR BOYS did today?  If you don’t want to be visiting me in a padded room very soon, I’m going to need some help from you on this one!”  (Before you judge me, remember, this blog is called MESSY worship for a reason.)However, when I pause and actually consider the facts, It isn’t “Mike’s boys” that are the problem.  Sure, kids [with ANYONE’S genes] aren’t perfect, but that is not actually the root problem.  The bigger, more pressing issue actually falls under the category of “lack of faith”.  Here’s why: If I actually believed that God is bigger than my imperfect abilities as a parent, then all the energy I am now spending “venting” could instead be directed towards asking God to grant me the wisdom to understand His perfect will with my imperfect mind.

Back to Exodus, a month had gone by since the Israelites had been delivered from the slavery of Egypt.  They began to complain about the scarcity of food.  They even went as far as to claim that it would be better for them to be back in the bondage of slavery in Egypt than to “starve to death” in the desert before they even reach the Promised Land.  In their discontent, they began to speak bitterly against Moses and Aaron.  After discussing it with God, Moses addressed the issue to the group.

“Then Moses and Aaron called a meeting of all the people of Israel and told them, ‘In the evening you will realize that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt.  In the morning you will see the glorious presence of the Lord.  He has heard your complaints, which are against the Lord and not against us.'” (Exodus 16:6-7)

The Lord brought you out of the land of Egypt.  Translation: The LORD has a plan.  It is The LORD’s plan you are having an issue with.

When I have a complaint, who’s plan am I critiquing, really?  Wasn’t it God who knit my children together in my womb?  Didn’t God knit ME together?  When it’s put in that framework, why would I even complain at all?  God, in His infinite wisdom, has a way to use every circumstance for good if I surrender my will to His. 

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Dear Lord, I spend too much time each day critiquing your good and perfect will.  Please forgive me for the pride and foolishness I am living in when I do this.  I truly want to see each moment as a way to learn more about you and understand your love.  Please strengthen me and give me your insight, wisdom and discernment so that, in all circumstances, I may rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks.  Amen.

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6 Comments

  1. SAHM I Am

    I laughed reading, “YOUR BOYS” and following. I can hear you saying that 🙂 Glad to know I’m not the only one with those thoughts crossing my mind (or passing through my lips!). It really is true that when we complain, we’re complaining against God–and why would we do that? As if we think He’s somehow doing something wrong. Ha!

    Reply
    • Em

      🙂 Thanks, Jen!!

      Reply
  2. Kelly Lutz

    Wow, never really looked at it that way, however, since my kids are older it sounds like this, “Do you know what my husband did or didn’t do?” I need to change my perspective. .not easy.

    Reply
    • Em

      I totally do the husband one, too! 🙂 Thank you for reading my blog and for considering it to be perspective changing! I really, really appreciate that you heard that!

      Reply
  3. JothamKnight

    I just had one of those moments where I was just thinking of complaining about a problem and then I read this. My external reaction was silent….but in side I was all like “Awww, man! Jezz….really?! But, but, but awwww. Shoot!” and with a deep breath I end up at ….”okay, I get it”
    It’s never an easy path to go down, but ultimately the realization I usually end up at.
    Great post!

    Reply
    • Em

      Greg, I could seriously picture your entire response playing out how you described it. Thank you for being so real!!

      Reply

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