The Israelites got themselves into a bit of trouble with God as a result of their incessant complaining.  This account underscores the problem with complaining: namely that it keeps us from seeing all of the good things around us.  When we're in a mode of simply complaining about everything, we set up a courtroom in our minds where we're the judge and jury, and regardless of the circumstances, we determine that they are bad.  We see only what we want to see, and then we miss out on the blessings that are all around us.

I can't imagine waking up every day to see the miracle of manna on the ground and God's miraculous provision only to then ignore all that He did to bring me out of Egypt.  The judgment the complaining Jews made was that it was better to be in constant oppression and slavery by the Egyptians and have "free meat" than to travel to the Promised Land with God and have daily provisions.  I'm not sure how one might ever come to such a conclusion, but that's what the Israelites did.  As the old saying goes, they couldn't see the forest through the trees.  Complaining causes us to get fixated on the things we can't control, and it keeps us from recognizing the blessings in our lives.

How are you in the complaint department?  Do you carry an attitude of gratitude, or do you complain about everything along the way?  Complaining declares a lack of appreciation for all that the Lord has done in and through your life.  Will you take the challenge to see and to appreciate the good in your life?