Contagious Complaining

Complaining rarely starts loud – it starts small. A whisper. A sigh. A side comment. But like a spark in dry grass, it spreads.

In Numbers Chapter 11 it says, “Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD; and when the LORD heard it, His anger was kindled, and the fire of the LORD burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. The people therefore cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the LORD and the fire died out. So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the LORD burned among them.” Numbers 11:1-3

In this chapter, we see how complaining rapidly spread among God’s people. It began on the outskirts (fringe) of the camp. As a result, God’s anger was kindled, and fire broke out. What may have seemed minor was really a big deal in the eyes of the LORD.

Eventually, the complaining spread to the entire camp, Numbers 11:4-35. “The rabble (the mixt multitude or riffraff) who were among them had greedy desires and also the sons of Israel wept again and said, ‘Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.’”  The people began to romanticize Egypt. As their memories became more distorted thinking that they had it better in Egypt, their gratitude gradually decreased. Yet, they forgot about the slavery, the oppression, and the bondage. Complaining rewrites reality. It blinds us to blessings and exaggerates the past.

Complaining is contagious and it will wear people down. In Numbers 11:11-15, even Moses is now overwhelmed, exhausted, and says to God, “Why have you been so hard on Your servant? And why have I not found favor in Your sight, that You have laid the burden of all this people on me? Was it I who conceived all this people? Was it I who brought them forth, that You should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fathers? I alone am not able to carry all this people, because it is too burdensome for me.’” Complaining doesn’t stay personal – it burdens others. It drains leaders, families, and entire communities. Complaining is often contagious because it’s easy to do. There’s no discipline required. It often spreads faster than gratitude and contentment do. The attitude of one person can become a culture.

In Numbers 12, we find both Aaron and Miriam (siblings of Moses) speaking against Moses. Once again, God was not pleased! This was rebellion against the authority of God.

Is it possible to overcome complaining. Yes! It can happen when we replace it with contentment. We are to be content with what we have, Hebrews 13:5. What we have in Christ is more than we could ever imagine. Focus on what God has provided. We can overcome complaining when we’re courageous. Joshua and Caleb were courageous standing up against the other spies who gave a bad report. Courage speaks faith when others speak fear. Courage remembers God’s past faithfulness. We can overcome complaining with Joy, 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Joy is not denial, but rather perspective. Joy chooses trust, praise, and God over circumstances. Some questions to ask ourselves.

1. Are we starting complaints on the fringe? Is it with our conversations in the foyer? On the drive home? At the sports fields?
2. Are we spreading complaints in conversations?
3. Are we influencing others negatively?

Something better and more pleasing to God is to help spread contentment, courage, and joy!

• Benjamin Lee