Numbers Chapter 11: Verse 4 (NIV Anglicised version)
The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost- also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”
We can be influenced by the people we associate with. Some of the people who decided to go with the Israelites on their journey started to whinge about “the good old days” in Egypt, and the Israelites joined in. But they did not have a good reason to whinge and wail; they weren’t starving, just fed up. The Israelites had been slaves and badly treated but for the moment that had been forgotten.
But sometimes when we also get a bit fed up and weary ourselves, we can look back with rose tinted glasses at “better times.” Its easy to indulge in self-pity if we have people who will join us in our pity party.
That’s when we need to take stock and count our blessings, and remember all that God has done for us. When we do that, it does lift our spirits, and it gives God the credit and the glory He deserves for all of His goodness to us. And nobody really likes a whinger!
Dear Lord,
I know that I can be guilty of indulging in a pity-party. Help me to change that attitude and also to be an encouragement to others when they are feeling weary and fed up. Thank You for all Your goodness to me. Amen.