Chapter 19 "I can't help it; I'm just addicted to grumbling, fault finding, and complaining." Wilderness Mentality #4

Chapter 19

"I can't help it; I'm just addicted to grumbling, fault finding, and complaining." Wilderness Mentality #4

Until we learn to glorify God by our attitude during hard times, we won't get delivered. It is not suffering that glorifies God, but a godly ATTITUDE IN SUFFERING that pleases Him and brings glory to Him (Joyce Meyer). This is a powerful statement, worth spending time pondering over. Many times we focus on our present problems. We spend massive amounts of time trying to figure out why certain things are happening to us; why would God allow this to happen to me; why won't He do something about my situation; why won't He come though for me, after all He's coming through for everyone else. Sound familiar??????? It's so easy to grumble and complain when we are suffering. It's also easy to find fault in others. When we are going through, especially when we feel we are suffering unjustly, it's easy to find fault in others justifying why they should be suffering instead of us.

We are reminded in this chapter that our suffering will not be eliminated because it's uncomfortable. In fact, Joyce Meyer declares we will suffer as believers, but the way we please God is by maintaining and displaying a godly attitude. When we understand and believe that God has deemed us victorious, we can go through any test/trial patiently waiting on our Sovereign Father to deliver us.

A few years ago, I remember feeling like my finances were cursed. I was a faithful tithe and offering giver, but it seemed like every month there was something going on with my finances. I was so consumed with what was happening to me that I was oblivious to what God was trying to teach me. I complained about never having money to (get this) do things I wanted to do. I totally disregarded that all the bills were paid, gas was in the car, food in the fridge, etc. I began to notice how many other "non-tithers" always had money and didn't have a care in the world. It wasn't until I closed my mouth and changed my attitude that I was able to hear and see what God was doing. I read Romans 5:1-5 (NIV) and it helped me understand and accept what God was doing. It reads:

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, [2] through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. [3] Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; [4] perseverance, character; and character, hope. [5] And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

The Message Bible refers to perseverance as passionate patience. Now that's the character and attitude God was trying to produce in me during this time of suffering......PASSIONATE PATIENCE. The Message Bible goes on to help us understand that the character that God desires to produce in us during times of tribulation and suffering "keeps us alert for whatever God will do next." The thing I had to remind myself of was that if I am so focused on complaining, finding fault, and grumbling, there is no way that I can be alert, eagerly anticipating what God is going to do next. Grumbling, complaining, and fault finding are DISTRACTIONS of the enemy, designed to lessen our alertness and enhance our negative perception of things. We must not give in to these distractions!!!!!

Jesus is our perfect example. He never complained. He endured the cross and the shame. He suffered through the right way. Scripture encourages us: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus (Phil 2:5). When my mind is positive, my actions will follow. I can go through the right way, but I must WANT to want to. My actions in times of suffering let others see how much I truly love God and desire to serve Him. My current situation should never promote actions that are ungodly.

Every day we have an opportunity to respond in godly ways or in negative ways. From this day forward, I choose to respond to EVERYTHING in a godly manner. I choose to develop a positive mind AT ALL TIMES. I will no longer grumble, find fault, or complain. I WILL NO LONGER HAVE A WILDERNESS MENTALITY. And it is so..........in Jesus' Name. Amen.

Co-Pastor Reniece