Hi ~

Complaining is an important topic to understand.

When “complaining”—in a general sense, speaking about something bad in your life—is always seen as sinful and bad, then that’s one more way wounded souls are shut down.

I’ve written about this at length before. There’s a chapter in Untwisting Scriptures Book 3 called “Why Are You So Negative? A Response to ‘Positive’ People” that specifically addresses “complaining.” (In it I go after that unbiblical Christian buzzphrase, “I’m doing better than I deserve.”)

But this, looking at Moses’ complaining in the wilderness—that’s something I’m writing about for the first time.

What made the difference in Moses’ complaining that brought about a solution from God rather than punishment from God?

Here are my thoughts. I’d be interested in yours.

— The reason for the Israelites’ complaints was that they weren’t comfortable. The reason for Moses’ complaint was that he was completely overwhelmed.

— They demanded physical comfort and physical satisfaction. Moses despaired for his life.

— They complained among themselves and to Moses. Moses went to God.

— They demanded that Moses do what they wanted to make their lives more comfortable. Moses asked God to kill him because he was in such despair.

And here’s one aspect that’s not evident in Moses’ prayer but that is evident from the rest of the passage.

— They weren’t crying out to God, so of course they wouldn’t listen to God. (There was no conversation happening.) But after Moses cried out to the Lord, he listened to God. God actually had a solution for him that was hitherto completely outside his paradigm.

One thing I hear often that grates on me like nails on a chalkboard (is there anyone anymore who remembers what that sounds like?) is “We Christians are just like the Israelites.”

That is a tremendously sad commentary on the life of the New Covenant believer.

Because, my friends, we don’t have to be.

We don’t have to be like little children complaining about our less-than-comfortable physical circumstances. We can take our despair and overwhelm to the Lord and seek answers from Him.

And we can actually expect answers from Him.

We can grow up.

Since Untwisting Scriptures Book 3 is about your emotions as well as your words, I talk a good bit in it about maturity, growing up. Moving from childish emotions to maturity in our expression of our emotions. All with an understanding of the role played by trauma.

One question that may arise from the set of contrasts I listed above is this: “Is it wrong to go to anyone other than God with your complaints?”

I’ll talk about that tomorrow.

With you in seeking God when we’re overwhelmed,

Rebecca

Untwisting Scriptures at heresthejoy.com

See my Untwisting Scriptures series

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