Wanderings & Wonders - "How to Stop Complaining" - Numbers 11:1-11 - Tim Nay

How to Stop ComplainingNumbers 11:1-11
Tim Nay

Part of Wanderings & Wonders

Lessons from the Wilderness

August 3, 2025

1 And the people complained in the hearing of the Lord about their misfortunes, and when the Lord heard it, his anger was kindled, and the fire of the Lord burned among them and consumed some outlying parts of the camp. 2 Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down. —Numbers 11:1-2 

Dangers of Complaining:

• Complaining is CONTAGIOUS. 

Dangers of Complaining:

• Complaining is contagious. 
• Complaining ignites God’s ANGER and JUDGMENT. 

“These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.” —Jude 16 

Dangers of Complaining:

• Complaining is contagious. 
• Complaining ignites God’s anger and judgment. 
• Complaining creates DIVISION. 

4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Israel also wept again and said, “Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” —Numbers 11:4-6 

Dangers of Complaining:

• Complaining is contagious. 
• Complaining ignites God’s anger and judgment. 
• Complaining creates division. 
• Complaining brings DISCOURAGEMENT. 

10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their clans, everyone at the door of his tent. And the anger of the Lord blazed hotly, and Moses was displeased. 11 Moses said to the Lord, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant? And why have I not found favor in your sight, that you lay the burden of all these people on me? 12 Did I conceive all these people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers? 13 Where am I to get meat to give to all these people? For they weep before me and say, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ 14 I am not able to carry all these people alone; the burden is too heavy for me. 15 If you will treat me like this, kill me at once, if I find favor in your sight, that I may not see my wretchedness.” —Numbers 11:10-15 

14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,” —Philippians 2:14-15 

How to Stop Complaining: 
1. Bring your complaints to God in PRAYER. 

6 “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.” —Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message) 

How to Stop Complaining: 
1. Bring your complaints to God in prayer. 
2. REMEMBER God’s PROVISIONS in the past. 

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” —1 Thessalonians 5:18 

How to Stop Complaining: 
1. Bring your complaints to God in prayer. 
2. Remember God’s provisions in the past. 
3. Learn to be CONTENT. 

TAKEAWAY: Understand complaining is SINFUL and does NOTHING to improve anything.