The truth is God doesn't like complaining al all. Why? Because it demonstrates a lack of trust in Him and in His Word; a lack of trust by definition is a lack of faith which is particularly not pleasing to Him (Hebrews 11:6) especially under the New Covenant which is a covenant based on faith (and love) instead of obedience. If we don't trust God then we'll start relying on our own Flesh which ALWAYS leads us into defeat and fear. Also, lack of trust is in direct conflict with God's objective of developing a personal and loving relationship with each Believer. How can you be in a love relationship with someone you don't trust?

Scripture confirms for us that God particularly dislikes complaining and certainly one example would be how He dealt with the Israelites after He had led them out of slavery in Egypt. During those ensuing 40 years of wandering around, God provided for their every need yet most of the way they were dissatisfied with His provision and grumbled at every trial. Their grumbling was a manifestation of their ingratitude; rather than thanking God for what He WAS providing, they complained to Moses for their perceived deprivation. Rather than persevering on to the Promised Land, they wanted to go back to their bondage in Egypt so they could eat and drink and satisfy their flesh in the ways they had become accustomed to during the years of their slavery. They disregarded God's promises and became a faithless people, unwilling to trust and depend on the One who had miraculously delivered them from bondage.

As a result, almost all the Israelites who had departed Egypt permanently lost the opportunity to actually go into the Promised Land. Yes, their basic needs were taken care of while they were in the wilderness but they never came close to the point of overflowing surplus; they never became eligible for the prosperity God wanted to give them in the Promised Land. In fact, the Bible says their hearts became hardened because they were UNGRATEFUL AND UNWILLING TO THANK GOD for what He was doing (Psalm 95:8-11). THANKSGIVING would have softened their hearts, brought them out of their HARD TIMES and propelled them into His prosperity.

Consider also the example of Hezekiah, one of the kings of Judah (2 Chronicles 29:1 through 32:33). Hezekiah was a good king who trusted in the Lord and because of that Judah was saved from certain defeat at the hands of King Sennacherib of Assyria. After the victory King Hezekiah was exalted in the sight of all nations; but soon he became sick to the point of death. Once again though God performed a miracle and the king was healed spectacularly. The favor of God had thus produced two miracles for King Hezekiah; but even after the victory over Sennacherib and even though he had been miraculously healed, the Bible says that Hezekiah's heart was proud and amazingly he didn't THANK God for those blessings. So, the Lord released His WRATH against Hezekiah, which means He was real mad at him; but the king soon repented and the Lord retracted His anger before major damage was inflicted postponing it for a later date.

Friend, ungratefulness used to make God very angry and even though His wrath has now been poured out on Jesus, shouldn't Believers want to please the Lord? We know from the Old Covenant that He doesn't like it so out of love we should want to avoid complaining. But in addition to that, something we seem to easily ignore is that we've been COMMANDED to give Him thanks:

Ephesians 5:20 = "Give thanks always for all things unto God."

Friend, this is not a suggestion; no, the Believer has been COMMANDED in the New Covenant to give thanks to God for ALL things. So therefore here's an important revelation: complaining about God is disobedience (even in ignorance) which is sin which opens a door to Satan in our lives. Therefore, if you want to change the HARD TIMES you're experiencing into GOOD TIMES, you need to stop murmuring and complaining to and about God so you can close the door to the devil and then start THANKING Him. It's a basic requirement.

Along the same lines some additional scriptures in the New Testament we should consider are these:

• Philippians 4:6 = Let your requests be made known to God with thanksgiving for everything.
• Colossians 1:12 = Give thanks to the Father for the inheritance we have received.
• Colossians 3:17 = Whatever you do give thanks to God.
• 1 Thessalonians 5:18 = It's the will of God that we give thanks in all things.
• 1 Timothy 4:4 = Everything created by God is good and should be received with thanksgiving.

In truth, Believers who're real faith people aren't the complainers; it's impossible to walk in faith and at the same time complain to God about one's circumstances. Rather, people of faith are THANKFUL for God's grace and mercy and deliverance and salvation and blessings and healing and prosperity and inheritance. People of faith are THANKFUL for Jesus and for the Holy Spirit and for the Word of God. And people of faith are GRATEFUL that God is working continuously to lead us out of the HARD TIMES. Jesus has already overcome the World (John 16:33) and by YOUR faith YOU can overcome it too (1 John 5:4-5).

• 1 Corinthians 15:57 = Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Christ.
• 2 Corinthians 2:14 = Thanks be to God who ALWAYS leads us to triumph in Christ

Friend, the ALWAYS part demands that we be people of faith. Meditate on all these scriptures for yourself and replace any complaining with some genuine THANKSGIVING no matter how difficult your personal HARD TIMES seem to be. And, by studying Scripture you WILL cause your faith to grow and strengthen (Romans 10:17) and you WILL get the victory.

How many Believers are complaining to God these days because they've stopped trusting Him to overcome their HARD TIMES? Complaining to God is rooted in FEAR, which comes when our FAITH diminishes in strength, which happens when we stop trusting in the Word, which is the result of neglecting our study and meditation on that Word, which ALWAYS happens when we start trying to trust in our Flesh. So complaining is part of an inevitable circle that always comes from spiritual neglect! Sorry, but the truth is what it is according to God's Word. Break the circle by replacing complaining with THANKSGIVING and you'll soon come into victory over your personal HARD TIMES.

Thanks for reading PLN today and we'll be looking for you again in three weeks on August 7. In the meantime, may God overwhelm you with the fullness of His love and spiritual blessing! Enjoy your victory over HARD TIMES!

If you've never invited Jesus to be the Lord of your life, you can do so today just by saying the following simple prayer:

Jesus I believe in you and I believe that God raised you from the dead. I receive forgiveness for my sins and I ask you to come into my life today. I receive you as my Lord and Savior.

If you were sincere as you prayed this prayer, God has already come into your life and you are a new creation, a totally new species recreated in His image. Now ask the Lord to lead you to a good faith-based, bible-teaching church where you can be equipped to fulfill your potential in the Kingdom of God.

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