New Year's Resolution: Breaking the Complaining Cycle

Exodus 3:17 And I have said, I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt unto the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, unto a land flowing with milk and honey.

God has promised the children of Israel a dwelling place that was full of blessings and abundance (Exodus 3:17). God’s heart and intention toward them was genuine. But because of our own insecurities, it’s hard to put our trust in anyone, even God. The negativities that they’d experienced in Egypt, caused them to believe that everyone was always wanting something from them. That negativity will cause us to put God in that same negative category. They had not developed a trusted relationship with God, according to Psalms 103:7. He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel. It makes a difference only seeing God acts of blessings in our lives, but we should also know His ways. We get to know God through our experiences. This is what the wilderness experience was all about, getting to trust God to do even the impossible in our lives, but all they could see was the negative. Their focus was on what they didn’t have and what they’d thought they were missing out on. They did not know the future that God had waiting for them and for us.

The promises of God are yes and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20), but the journey to that promise is sometimes rocky and difficult. Listen to what Psalm 32:8 says “I will guide you along the ‘best pathway’ for your life. I will advise you and watch over you."

That negativity caused a negative impact in their lives. Many of them did not get to experience the abundance and the blessings that God had for them. They died in the wilderness. Read Numbers 11:4-10 and Numbers 14:26-30. Dying before they received the promise was not God‘s plan for them, and it is not his plan for us.

The Cycle of Complaining, hinders the blessings

The Children of Israel's complaints hindered their blessings and prolonged their journey in the wilderness. They missed out on opportunities for giving God praise and gratitude. Instead, they complained and mumbled at his blessings in their lives.

Let’s promise ourselves to make a new resolution going in to 2024. No more complaining.

Let us choose joy over complaining as a New Year's resolution

It is important to cultivate joy and gratitude to invite blessings and positive change in the New Year. Shifting from complaining to embracing a more positive mindset can be challenging. This is why I want us to enter 2024 practicing gratitude. You can start a daily gratitude practice. This has helped me to stay positive, even in negative situations. Take a few minutes each day to reflect on the things you are grateful for, whether it's your health, relationships, family, etc.

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Here is some Scriptures to encourage you:

Isaiah 26:3- You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus

Psalm 118:24 - This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.

What scripture comes to your mind that you can add to this list? Drop it in the comment section.

Make a commitment to choose joy and gratitude in the New Year and expect blessings and positive transformation.

Please share with others. Leave your comments, and questions. I look forward to staying connected to you! Happy prosperous new year!