Are You Blocking Your Own Progress?

Life for Today's Christian Woman
February 1, 2015
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Deuteronomy 1: 2-3, NLT: “Normally it takes only eleven days to travel from Mount Sinaib to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir. But forty years after the Israelites left Egypt, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses addressed the people of Israel, telling them everything the Lord had commanded him to say.”

In other words, the Israelites spent 40 years making an 11-day trip.

When I read that, I thought, “Doing what?” I mean, I know that rest stops and breaks add to the trip time. But what on earth could you be doing that makes an 11-day trek and 40-year debacle?

Well, when you read the whole account of Moses leading the Israelites out of of bondage and to this point, and then continue through the saga of his protege Joshua actually leading them into the promised land, you get a better understanding of why. This crew complained, murmured, pulled stunts that made Moses smash rocks in anger. And to make matters worse, they longed for the creature comforts that were provided to them by their oppressors. Sad right?

But how many of us do that? How many of us make what should be a short season into a lifelong journey?

We complain so long and loud about being single that we miss opportunities to meet new people. We complain so about our jobs that we can’t see the blessing of the income it provides. We complain about our families and friends without realizing there are orphans who would love a family to call their own. Joyce Meyer said in one of her books that “to complain is to remain”. Meaning your complaining only serves to keep you where you are.

As a result of their complaining, one day God sent poisonous serpents into the camp. As a result, many of them died in what’s called the wilderness outside of the promised land. I’m not saying God would do that to you. But your complaining stirs his heart in a way that is not in your favor. The best you can expect from God from complaining so is that He leaves you in your predicament. And to your own devices.

If you’re blocking your own progress, I want you to take an honest inventory of yourself by answering these questions. Do I complain about everything that doesn’t go my way? Do I complain about things that are actually blessings? Do I catch myself often speaking negatively about myself, others or the situations I encounter? Have others told me that I complain a lot or that I am a negative person? Have others told me that I’m dramatic and make more out of things than there really is?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it’s time to make a shift. Decide now that you will:

1) See the positive side of people you know and people you encounter

2) Be grateful for the blessings God has given you

3) Change your attitude towards the work that is required to maintain those blessings

4) Ask someone to hold you accountable for the words you speak

If you’re a chronic complainer, there is hope. You can get to the root of what’s causing you to complain. Take time daily to seek God through prayer, reading his word and being silent and still in his presence. He’ll help you uncover all those bitter roots in your heart and help you uproot them.