Scripture

Grumbling broke out the next day in the community of Israel, grumbling against Moses and Aaron: “You have killed God’s people!”

42 But it so happened that when the community got together against Moses and Aaron, they looked over at the Tent of Meeting and there was the Cloud—the Glory of God for all to see. Numbers 16:41-42 (MSG)

The Gist

Spiritual maturity doesn't erase our humanity! We take a look at a few reasons we complain before turning to God, and consider how complaining becomes dangerous when it replaces prayer instead of leading us to prayer.

Digging Deeper

Is my delay in prayer coming from resistance, exhaustion, or the need to find truthful words?

What emotions am I sitting with right now that I haven't put into prayer yet?

When I find myself complaining, is it helping me avoid God, or helping me name what I want to bring to Him?

Worksheet for putting our emotions into words while they catch up with what we know intellectually and in our hearts.

Draw four circles: Label them in order: Emotions (what you are feeling emotionally), The Facts (about the situation w/ no emotions involved), Prayer Requests (based on the feelings and facts, what do you need to take to God in prayer), and Revelations (new understandings about the situation from God). You can also check out our social media for a visual of this worksheet.

Scripture:

My soul is exhausted awaiting Your rescue, yet I keep hoping in Your word. My eyes are strained as I look for what You promised, saying, “When will You come to comfort me?” Even though I have shriveled up like a wineskin left in the smoke, I still remember what You require. Psalm 119:81-83 (VOICE)

The Gist:

We often fall into the trap of believing strong faith means always feeling confident and happy, while weak faith brings on sadness, confusion, and exhaustion.

Faith doesn't mean that we never break down or get exhausted; it means never breaking away from God.

Reframe complaining to lament (complaint turns us away from God, and lament turns us toward God).

Examples: (X - instead of, O - Try)

X - Why am I struggling to trust?

O- Am I still bringing my struggle to God? (If the answer is yes, faith is still alive.)

X - Why can't I believe more or have stronger faith?

O - What am I honestly feeling right now? Can I bring that to God?

X - Why hasn't God answered my prayer or resolved this yet?

O - What is helping me endure/get through this day?

X - How do I fix my faith?

O - What is God inviting me to release/turn over to Him?

One great overall question we can ask ourselves to anchor us in times of questioning is: Am I still here with God?

God is always with us, so the question is, "Are we still with Him?" If the answer is yes, even faintly, then faith is still there. As Jesus says, I tell you this: if you had even a faint spark of faith, even faith as tiny as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and because of your faith, the mountain would move. If you had just a sliver of faith, you would find nothing impossible. (Matthew 17:20)

Faith isn't measured by how little we struggle, but how and with whom we struggle.

Digging Deeper:

If I’m exhausted, can I let God be with me as I am rather than as I wish I were?

What kind of struggle am I in right now—resisting, wrestling, waiting, or grieving?

If I allowed myself to lament, what would I say honestly?

What am I trying to resolve that God may be asking me to endure with Him?

What small signs of faith are still present in me, even if they feel insignificant?

Scripture:

Those people in the wilderness heard God’s good news, just as we have heard it, but the message they heard didn’t do them any good since it wasn’t combined with faith. Hebrews 4:1-2 (Voice)

The Gist:

There are many of God's promises that we know intellectually, but resist or have difficulty accepting emotionally.

"I am with you." - Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 28:20

"You are forgiven" - 1 John 1:9, Romans 8:1

"I will provide for you" - Matthew 6:31-33, Philippians 4:19

"My grace is sufficient." - 2 Corinthians 12:9

"God works out all things for good" - Romans 8:28

"You can rest" - Matthew 11:28-30, Hebrews 4

"You are deeply loved" - Romans 8:38-39, Zephaniah 3:17

"Do not fear" - Isaiah 43:1-2, John 14:27

The wilderness is what happens when God's promises are heard, but not trusted. Rest is what happens when faith finally catches up and agrees with God. The core wilderness problem the Israelites faced in the wilderness wasn't rebellion or ignorance - it was an unbelief they expressed as mistrust. They knew God's power, but doubted His heart!

Digging Deeper:

Which of these promises is difficult for you to accept emotionally? Take time to look up the related scriptures and sit with God, asking Him to give you wisdom and insight.

Ask, where is there fear or control blocking faith from mixing with truth?

Consider, am I only hearing God's Word, or am I trusting it?