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.” —Exodus 16:2-3
MOVING FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER ALWAYS MEANS GOING THROUGH A TIME WHEN YOU FEEL OUT OF PLACE
COMPLAINING CAN QUICKLY BECOME A HABIT.
COMPLAINING USUALLY HAS CONSEQUENCES.
“In this wilderness your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.” —Numbers 14:29
COMPLAINING CAN KEEP US STUCK.
WHEN WE ONLY FOCUS ON WHAT’S WRONG, WE MISS OUT ON SEEING WHAT GOD MIGHT BE DOING IN OUR LIVES.
Complaining is rooted in a deep sense of dissatisfaction with what we have or where we are. It’s easy to get stuck in a cycle of negativity. —Jeff Manion, “The Land Between”
Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” —Philippians 2:14-15
INSTEAD OF LETTING COMPLAINTS TAKE OVER, WE CAN LEARN TO TRUST GOD IN UNFAMILIAR TIMES.
4 WAYS TO MOVE FROM COMPLAINTS TO TRUST:
Acknowledge your feelings honestly.
Make prayers out of your complaints.
Be intentionally grateful for the small things.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. —James 1:2-3
Practice putting your trust in God.
LIFE’S TRANSITIONS ARE HARD. THEY’RE UNCOMFORTABLE. BUT THEY’RE ALSO OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW CLOSER TO GOD AND TRUST GOD MORE.
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. —Isaiah 40:31
WILL YOU OPEN YOUR HEART TO JESUS TODAY?
We’ve all been in those “in between” moments—times when life is uncertain, and we don’t know what’s next. Maybe you’re feeling that way right now, like you’re in a wilderness, stuck between where you’ve been and where you hope to go. It can feel lonely, confusing, and frustrating. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to navigate this “land between” alone. Jesus offers to walk with you through every season of life, even the tough and uncertain ones. He knows what it’s like to feel lost, and He extends His hand to guide you to a place of peace and hope. Opening your heart to Jesus doesn’t mean all your problems will instantly disappear, but it does mean you won’t have to face them alone. He offers a relationship that can bring you peace, even in the midst of uncertainty. Today, I invite you to take a step of faith and open your heart to Jesus. Let Him be your guide through your “land between,” and discover the comfort and strength that come from knowing you’re not alone.
Jesus, I’m not sure about everything, but I’m feeling lost and stuck right now. I don’t know what’s next, and I’m tired of feeling like I have to figure it all out on my own. If You’re real, I want to know You. Help me to trust that You have a plan for my life, even when I can’t see it. Show me how to move forward, and give me the strength to take the next step. I’m opening my heart to You today. Please guide me and be with me. Amen.
OUR MOSAIC PRAYER
MAY THE BEAUTY OF GOD BE REFLECTED IN OUR EYES,
THE LOVE OF GOD BE REFLECTED IN OUR HANDS,
THE WISDOM OF GOD BE REFLECTED IN OUR WORDS,
AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD FLOW FROM OUR HEARTS,
SO THAT EVERYONE AROUND US MIGHT SEE AND BELIEVE.