Why do you like to complain so? Have you ever used that statement to anyone? When do people use it? Well, that is an incredibly old statement that was used way back in the seventies. Parents and teachers often asked their children and pupils that question whenever a child complained often. If you were around in the seventies, did anyone ever ask you that question?
We are living in a time when that question is resurfacing. Often you can hear someone saying – why do they like to complain so? Or why does he or she like to complain so? Or why do you like to complain so? As you read the books of Leviticus and Numbers, you will be reminded just how much we are like the children of Israel. They were people who loved to complain. They grumbled constantly. Nothing satisfied them. Do you know anyone like that? Complaining was like a hobby to them? Are you like that? Are we like that? Here are two stories of people who liked to complain.
A man dreamed of joining a monastery. His goal in life was to become a monk. So, one day he went to a monastery, and talked to the head monk and said, “What do I need to do to join?” He was told that it was more difficult than he thought. The head monk told him, “In our monastery monks are only allowed to say two words every year.” He said, “That sounds a bit extreme, but I have wanted to be a monk for so long, I am going to give it a try.” So, he was shown to his room. And so, for the next twelve months the man never said a word. At the end of his first year, he was taken to the head monk, and was told he could now say his two words. The guy said, “Food’s bad.” He went back to his room and was silent for another twelve months. At the end of his second year, he again was taken to the head monk for his two words. This time his two words were, “Bed’s hard.” Head monk said, “OK.” And the man went back to his room. Another twelve months of silence passed, and he was brought again to the head monk for his annual two words. This time the guy said, “I quit.” The head monk said, “Well, it does not surprise me. All you have done is complain ever since you got here.
A story was told that in regions of Mexico hot springs and cold springs are found side by side, and because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon, the women often bring their laundry, boil their clothes in the hot springs, and then rinse them in the cold springs. One day, a tourist watching that procedure commented to his Mexican guide, “They must think God is generous to provide so much free hot and cold water for them!” The guide replied, “No, s?nor, there is much grumbling because He does not supply the soap!”
Are we like that as a people? What do you think? Are we a set of complaining people? When God delivered Israel from slavery in Egypt, He also intended to bring them into a promised land flowing with blessing and prosperity. The children of Israel however did not cooperate with the plan designed to benefit them. They complained and fought against God every step of the way. They became discouraged and defeated and they missed the blessings of God.
Numbers 11:1 states, “And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and His anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp.” Complaining is often costly my friends. Let us avoid it. Let us not allow ourselves, and the people in our country, to be discouraged or defeated by our inability to contain the desire to complain. The Bible states these ancient events are to serve as our examples, that we might learn from them.
Paul admonishes us in Philippians 2:14- “Do all things without murmuring or complaining.” Let us take heed. The Israelites complained because of hardships. Do you know of anyone who grumbles when things get hard? Do you often grumble when things get hard? Do we grumble when things get hard? The Israelites did and they paid the price for it! They did not like walking through the wilderness. No one ever likes hardships, but the truth is, hardship is sometimes good for us. Sometimes lives of ease and comfort lead us to forget our God. That does not mean that we should pray for hardness, but when it comes, Timothy tells us what to do. He said we are to endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. God usually teaches us lessons in times of hardships.
Adversity can be a powerful teacher. While difficult to endure, hardships can also bring unexpected gifts and lessons that will help us grow in new ways. We can learn – Compassion and Sensitivity. It is never easy to confront the truth that we are not perfect, invincible, or immune to difficult or even terrible things. But going through hardship can open our eyes to the hardships of others. Receiving support and help from others may motivate us to give support more readily. Our sense of compassion can grow.
We can learn – Flexibility. Surviving hardship and willing ourselves to move forward builds added strength to tackle new challenges and face future failures. Flexibility allows us to be resilient and durable as things change. It teaches us to be open to learning and agile as we figure out what to do next.
Hardship is painful. But if we can learn from it, and turn it into opportunities for growth, we can gain something back that will stay with us forever.
Remember: Life is a series of punches. It presents a lot of challenges. It presents a lot of hardship, but the people that can take those punches and are able to move forward are the ones that really do have a lot of success and have a lot of joy in their life and have a lot of stories to tell, also. So, when hardships come into your life it breaks you for a while, but when it is done with you, it will evolve you into a new person.
About the Author: Mrs. Marilyn Hodge owns and operates the Wellness Centre in the Farrington, Anguilla. The Centre offers Counselling Services by Appointment Only and has now published Positive Living Volume 3. Contact information: 476-3517 or email: marilynb@anguillanet.com. www.facebook.com/axawellnesscentre
