My small group has been meeting every day to read from a devotional called “Faith Over Fear.” One of the devos, in particular, stood out to me, and I wanted to share what I learned. 

 

It’s so easy to make decisions out of fear when you’re in a time of trouble. Panic causes us to act out of instinct—not out of faith or even rational decision making. Oftentimes, these decisions create some not-so-good situations for us. Then, what do we do? Complain. I’m incredibly guilty of this… it’s so easy to whine when things don’t go according to plan. You know who else did this? The Israelites! 

 

“Now the people complained about their hardships in the hearing of the Lord, and when he heard them his anger was aroused. Then fire from the Lord burned among them and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. When the people cried out to Moses, he prayed to the Lord and the fire died down” - Numbers 11:1-2. The people of Israel were in a period of waiting, and they were frustrated because they knew what was on the other side of their waiting: the Promised Land. They wanted to skip the trials that forced them to depend on God because it was easier to have things handed to them instead of working or waiting for them. So, they threw a fit. In their ungratefulness, they whined to God about His plan, which made him angry with them. He admonished them for their selfish attitude with a cleansing fire.

 

Does this mean I can never come to God when I feel something is wrong? No! It’s all about the heart behind why you’re coming to Him with a problem. Psalm 107:28-29 says, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.” God heard His children’s cry for help, and He answered them. He saved them from the violent storm they were in. 

 

Here’s the real question: what’s the difference? In both scenarios, people came to the Lord with a problem, so why did He react to them differently? It’s simple: complaining and crying out are two very different things. Complaining comes from a place of pride, demanding something different from God because things aren’t going according to MY plan. On the other hand, crying out comes from a place of humility, relying on God to teach us to understand HIS plan.

 

Feeling stressed? Weighed down? Angry? Alone? Cry out to the Lord, He hears you! He sees your genuine heart and He wants to be with you in your hills and valleys—don’t be afraid to go to Him when you’re hurting. (But don’t forget to praise Him in the good times, too!)