Chasing Truth™: Read the Bible Cover to CoverSample

Contentment

How content have you been lately? I ask because, for some of us, complaining can come easy. Being unhappy with how much we have—in light of what we think we need or can’t live without—is a by-product of an old mindset. So, we complain and feel deprived. We grumble and play comparison games, sometimes saying, “If only I had a better job. If only my spouse were different. If only my kids would act like so and so’s kids act.” This zaps our joy and grieves the heart of God.

Complaining was a huge problem for the people of Israel. God delivered them from the bondage and oppression of Egypt. He supernaturally put them on a path to abundance and success, but they could only focus on what they thought was missing. ”Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, ‘Oh that we had meat to eat!’” (Numbers 11:14, ESV).

The Israelites let the “rabble” among them skew their view. They started to cry for the meat of the world when God had them feasting on bread from Heaven. This discontentment became their downfall. As a result, God sent a plague that killed many who ate the meat.

Sometimes we need to stop and evaluate what we are craving. Maybe we can take a trip to the altar of praise to regain contentment and set a guard over our mouth to delete complaints. It would be worth the effort. 

Are you content? Are you longing for something that should stay in the past? We can ask forgiveness for wanting anything outside of His will. And let’s not forget to praise the Lord and thank Him for all He has blessed us with.