Do we groan or grumble? If you’re honest, I hope you say you do both. Although grumbling is not a good thing, I’m seeking a honest examination of self and if I’m honest I’d have to admit to doing both. I do try to refrain from grumbling.
I don’t like to grumble, murmur and complain. I think those are all pretty similar. There seems to be a sense of entitlement when we do these things. It’s as if it should all be our way and if not, you’ll get an ear full. That is so so not good. I know that’s a lousy choice of words but it gets my point across. When I come across posts or comments on social media of grumbling complainers, I just want to “roll my eyes and scroll on”. And if I’m honest, it’s best not to even respond to grumbling posts because when you do and have a difference of opinion, that grumbler is likely going to take offense. It’s just the truth.
You might wonder why I’m even talking about this. Here’s why, this week in our Bible study on prayer we are studying lament. This week I’ve learned the difference between groaning to God and grumbling to God. There’s a big difference. If you know some Bible history, you know that when God delivered the Israelites out of the land of Egypt with His mighty power and brought them through the Red Sea on dry ground they grumbled to God about the wilderness, about the Manna and lack of water. Whew, did God get mad! He said none of them would enter the promise land (except for Caleb and Joshua) due to their grumbling. OUCH! See Numbers 13, 14 and 21.
God does desire us to bring our struggles and hang-ups to Him. Groaning is a more humble approach. It’s like pouring out your heart to the Lord. It’s not accusing God but rather laying down the hurts and confusion. He desires us to bring our requests before Him and express faith in Him and praise Him for the answer He sends. Yes you can praise Him before the answer comes. That shows your faith in God. I do this all the time, “Lord I don’t see this yet but faith is being sure of what I hope for and certain of what I don’t see. And Lord, I don’t see it yet but I know it’s coming, according to Your perfect Will.”
As I’ve studied this week I’ve seen many different examples of lament in the Bible. God invites us to bring things to Him. Humble hearts, prayer and hearts full of praise to God are so essential to living victoriously.
Take your burdens to the Lord and leave them there. Romans 8:26 says, “And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.”( NLT) The beauty here is, God already knows our hearts. He knows what we are going to say even before we say it. (Psalms 139:4) Let’s humble ourselves and lay our hearts at the feet of Jesus. He will meet us there and comfort our souls.
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