“Now the people became like those who complain of adversity in the hearing of the LORD…” (Num 11:1)
Uh oh. The people became like those who complain of adversity? When was the last time I did NOT complain of adversity?!
We look at the complaining of the Israelites as a sign of their lack of faith, but it was also a sign of their unwillingness to suffer. Adversity is anything that is less than ideal, anything that fights against us having an easy go of it. The Israelites were complaining because they viewed discomfort as a bad thing.
But is it? Discomfort is almost always a sign of growth. Sore muscles mean they are getting stronger. Breaking out of your comfort zone means you are trying something new and probably learning from the experience. Adversity means discomfort and discomfort means growth.
The rich man was warned that he received his good things in this life and that is why he was in anguish in the next. Likewise, Lazarus received his bad things, but now is comforted in Paradise (see Lk 16:25).
Better to be hungry here and seek the food that satisfies.
Don’t complain about adversity – use it.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds” (Jas. 1:2)
#Biblebites Matt. 4:4