Read Deuteronomy 8
Often our thanksgiving and our repentance are based on our circumstances. I’ve felt this way a lot during COVID, but also in other times in my life. When things are going well, I’m surrounded by friends, and have financial security, I’m thankful. But when my circumstances are less than ideal I immediately start to complain.
Usually, I’m complaining when my physical wants for comfort are not being met. Either because I’m bored, I’m not happy with my living situation, I’m restless. I do have seasons of thankfulness, but they are also usually based on a temporary state of satisfaction that quickly goes away.
What is your season of gratitude based on?
What about when you are complaining?
Do you ever find yourself on this same pendulum? Swinging quickly back and forth between gratitude and complaining?
The Israelites go through this cycle all throughout the OT of complaining, God delivering them, and asking for their loyalty, then they disobey, grow apart from God and complain and call out again.
So, how do we break out of this cycle of disobedience, complaint? We remember that God is faithful and unchanging, and that man does not live on bread alone (Deut. 8:3)
Here is a good example of how to set your heart on God and things above, when your circumstances might lead you to complain or feel discontent:
Remember: what God has done for you in the past (Deut. 8:2,11) 2
Give thanks
Have faith in the present and hope for the future
For further study read Hebrews 11:1 and Romans 5:1-5
