Murmuring

 

I'm feeling a little convicted tonight.  

I've studied about the Children of Israel who were freed by God's power through the leadership of Moses and Aaron, and yet seemed to murmur and complain at every step along the way.  

At one point I found myself thinking about the irony that they were sometimes complaining about the very thing that blessed them (or at least some aspect of it). 

How very human.  Murmuring is one of the easiest things to do in the moment.  And the least fruitful. 

And the internet has feeds of millions of murmurings as testimony to the fact that we are no different today.

But I am only responsible for me.  So I checked my own feeds, conversations, texts and even thoughts and prayers for evidence of murmuring.

And sure enough, I am also guilty of murmuring about the very things a loving Heavenly Father has given me.  

I complain about side effects of medicine that is actually prolonging my life.

I complain about extra work duties even though the extra income is answer to our prayers.

I complain about assignments that bring growth in just the way I trust God knows I need them.

I'm not overly harsh with myself.  I do accept my humanness, but I also want to do a little better.  

And I wonder.  

What additional blessings did I forfeit or unnecessary struggle did I cling to through my murmuring? 

I am committing to do better.  I've asked for His forgiveness.  I've asked for His help. 

After all, as Elder Jeffrey R Holland once prodded, "No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won’t make it worse."