Key Verse: Numbers 11:1 

"Now when the people complained, it displeased the Lord; for the Lord heard it, and His anger was aroused." 

As people that have not yet been conformed completely to the image of Christ, we are all prone to seasons of complaining. We complain when the sun's too hot, or when it's not hot enough. We complain when it rains too much, or when it doesn't rain at all. We complain about not having any work to do, then we complain when there is too much to work to do. It seems that we are complainers by nature. The Israelites in the Old Testament were no different. Despite having seen God work wonders in Egypt, despite crossing the Red Sea, the Israelites were still chronic complainers. All throughout the book of Numbers they are described as complaining and grumbling. Here in Numbers 11, we are told that God heard their complaining and it displeased the Lord. Why does complaining bother God so much? 

First of when we complain and grumble, we are showing that we are dissatisfied with the situation we find ourselves in. This is problematic, because it is likely that God in His sovereignty has placed us in the exact situation we are complaining about. When we complain and in anger and dissatisfaction shake our fist at God it not only shows that we are don't trust His sovereign plan, it also shows that we don't appreciate what He has done, is doing, and will for us! As a result of this, God will be angry at us, just as He was angry with the Israelites. When we find ourselves in the midst of situations that we don't like, instead of being ungrateful and angry with God, it would be wiser to seek Him in prayer and ask that He gives us a grateful heart and help us persevere in hard times. Don't complain, instead pray!