I just got an alert on my phone that the temperature dropped from 81 degrees to 59 degrees in 2 hours here in San Antonio today. I don’t think our city has seen the likes of these temperatures since last spring.
Weather brings out the best and the worst in people. Many people prefer hot weather here in South Texas every day they can get it and complain when it’s cold. Then, there is another group of people who don’t like the heat, tired of the heat and are ready for a change from the heat. Those folks like days like this. You might be able to guess which camp I fall into.
I guess weather brings out something in us that we’re all guilty of at one time or another. Grumbling. Grumbling is as old as the hills and speaking of old, grumbling goes back to the Old Testament of the Bible.
In Exodus 15:22-25, Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and went to a desert. They went for three whole days in the desert with no water! When they found water, it was bitter, and they couldn’t even drink it. And what did the people do? They grumbled against Moses, saying “What are we supposed to drink?” At that time, Moses cried out to God and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water and the water was good to drink. So, even though the people complained, God still provided water for them.
Once we grumble, it’s easy to grumble again! In Exodus 16:2-3, the Scripture reads:
“In the desert, the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
It does seem that once we begin to grumble, it becomes a bit of a habit, if not careful. As the Israelites faced danger, shortages of food, and inconveniences. They complained over and over and longed to be back in Egypt.
Gosh, don’t you relate to those Israelites? When difficult circumstances arise, I find that I can get stressed. So, what happens in the stress of our circumstances? We grumble and complain. Such a natural response.
Yet, God calls us to a different way of responding. Gratitude. One thing I realized is that I can’t be both grumbling and grateful at the same time. Gratitude is focusing on what’s good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have. When we’re grateful to God, it opens our spiritual eyes. We recognize God, His presence, His perfect timing, and Him working in and around us. Gratitude and peace go hand in hand. We don’t have to stress! God is in control! His promises are true! Always!
Today is a new day. Will you grumble through this day or be grateful?
Don’t you want to be a grateful person? I sure do! Take a listen to this worship song that literally expresses gratitude: https://www.
In Exodus 15:22-25, Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and went to a desert. They went for three whole days in the desert with no water! When they found water, it was bitter, and they couldn’t even drink it. And what did the people do? They grumbled against Moses, saying “What are we supposed to drink?” At that time, Moses cried out to God and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water and the water was good to drink. So, even though the people complained, God still provided water for them.
Once we grumble, it’s easy to grumble again! In Exodus 16:2-3, the Scripture reads:
“In the desert, the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”
It does seem that once we begin to grumble, it becomes a bit of a habit, if not careful. As the Israelites faced danger, shortages of food, and inconveniences. They complained over and over and longed to be back in Egypt.
Gosh, don’t you relate to those Israelites? When difficult circumstances arise, I find that I can get stressed. So, what happens in the stress of our circumstances? We grumble and complain. Such a natural response.
Yet, God calls us to a different way of responding. Gratitude. One thing I realized is that I can’t be both grumbling and grateful at the same time. Gratitude is focusing on what’s good in our lives and being thankful for the things we have. When we’re grateful to God, it opens our spiritual eyes. We recognize God, His presence, His perfect timing, and Him working in and around us. Gratitude and peace go hand in hand. We don’t have to stress! God is in control! His promises are true! Always!
Today is a new day. Will you grumble through this day or be grateful?
Don’t you want to be a grateful person? I sure do! Take a listen to this worship song that literally expresses gratitude: https://www.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7
Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.
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