If you’ve ever been around kids in the back seat on a long trip, you know the phrase: “Are we there yet?” It starts as a question, but after a while, it becomes a complaint.
Israel knew that feeling. In Numbers 11, the people were in the wilderness — saved from slavery in Egypt, headed toward the Promised Land — but stuck in the in-between. And in the in-between, they started to grumble.
The Gift They Took for Granted
Every morning, God provided manna — food straight from heaven. All they had to do was gather it. No planting, no harvesting, no rationing — just daily bread from the hand of God.
But after a while, the miracle lost its wonder. They began to remember Egypt — not the slavery, the beatings, or the back-breaking labor — but the food. “We remember the fish… the cucumbers… the melons… the onions and garlic” (Numbers 11:5).
They romanticized the past and resented the present. Instead of saying, “Thank You, Lord, for sustaining us,” they said, “Why don’t we have what we used to?”
It’s easy to shake our heads at Israel, but we’ve all been there. God answers a prayer, meets a need, or blesses us with something good — and at first, we’re grateful. But over time, familiarity breeds discontent, and our focus shifts to what we don’t have.
Gratitude as a Guardrail
Gratitude isn’t just a polite habit; it’s a spiritual guardrail. It keeps us from swerving into envy, entitlement, or despair.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice he doesn’t say “for all circumstances,” but in all circumstances. Gratitude doesn’t require denying pain or pretending everything is perfect — it’s choosing to see God’s provision and presence even when things aren’t easy.
For Israel, the manna wasn’t just food — it was a daily reminder of God’s faithfulness. Every bite said, “I see you. I’m with you. I will sustain you.” But they stopped hearing that message because they stopped giving thanks.
Why We Lose Gratitude
We lose gratitude when we:
Practicing Gratitude in the Wilderness
So how do we step in gratitude when life feels like the wilderness — when we’re not where we were, but not where we want to be?
1. Name Your Daily Manna
What’s your manna today? Maybe it’s a steady job, a friend who checks in, a warm bed, or just the breath in your lungs. Write down three things each day that are evidence of God’s care. Naming them helps you notice them.
2. Flip the Script on Complaints
When you catch yourself saying, “I wish I had ___,” follow it up with, “But I’m grateful for ___.” This isn’t toxic positivity — it’s training your heart to look for God’s hand.
3. Thank Before You Ask
In Philippians 4:6, Paul says to present your requests to God with thanksgiving. Before you bring your needs, pause to remember His past provision. Gratitude before petition changes how you pray.
When the world sees Christians who are content in seasons of waiting, scarcity, or uncertainty, it makes them curious. Gratitude in the wilderness says something powerful: “My joy isn’t tied to my circumstances — it’s tied to my God.”
The Israelites had a chance to display that to the nations watching them. Sadly, their grumbling told a different story. But we can learn from their example.
In your own wilderness season, you may feel tempted to look back longingly or complain about what’s missing. But what if today you asked God to open your eyes to the manna around you?
You might just find that the thing you’ve been taking for granted is actually the miracle that’s sustaining you.
Reflection Questions:
Israel knew that feeling. In Numbers 11, the people were in the wilderness — saved from slavery in Egypt, headed toward the Promised Land — but stuck in the in-between. And in the in-between, they started to grumble.
The Gift They Took for Granted
Every morning, God provided manna — food straight from heaven. All they had to do was gather it. No planting, no harvesting, no rationing — just daily bread from the hand of God.
But after a while, the miracle lost its wonder. They began to remember Egypt — not the slavery, the beatings, or the back-breaking labor — but the food. “We remember the fish… the cucumbers… the melons… the onions and garlic” (Numbers 11:5).
They romanticized the past and resented the present. Instead of saying, “Thank You, Lord, for sustaining us,” they said, “Why don’t we have what we used to?”
It’s easy to shake our heads at Israel, but we’ve all been there. God answers a prayer, meets a need, or blesses us with something good — and at first, we’re grateful. But over time, familiarity breeds discontent, and our focus shifts to what we don’t have.
Gratitude as a Guardrail
Gratitude isn’t just a polite habit; it’s a spiritual guardrail. It keeps us from swerving into envy, entitlement, or despair.
Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Notice he doesn’t say “for all circumstances,” but in all circumstances. Gratitude doesn’t require denying pain or pretending everything is perfect — it’s choosing to see God’s provision and presence even when things aren’t easy.
For Israel, the manna wasn’t just food — it was a daily reminder of God’s faithfulness. Every bite said, “I see you. I’m with you. I will sustain you.” But they stopped hearing that message because they stopped giving thanks.
Why We Lose Gratitude
We lose gratitude when we:
- Compare Our Present to Our Past – Israel remembered Egypt selectively, focusing on the menu, not the misery. We do the same when we long for a “better season” without remembering its struggles.
- Measure God’s Goodness by Our Preferences – God was providing what they needed, not what they wanted. Gratitude grows when we trust that His provision is always good, even when it’s not what we imagined.
- Forget to Remember – Gratitude is fueled by memory. Forget God’s past faithfulness, and you’ll soon doubt His present care.
Practicing Gratitude in the Wilderness
So how do we step in gratitude when life feels like the wilderness — when we’re not where we were, but not where we want to be?
1. Name Your Daily Manna
What’s your manna today? Maybe it’s a steady job, a friend who checks in, a warm bed, or just the breath in your lungs. Write down three things each day that are evidence of God’s care. Naming them helps you notice them.
2. Flip the Script on Complaints
When you catch yourself saying, “I wish I had ___,” follow it up with, “But I’m grateful for ___.” This isn’t toxic positivity — it’s training your heart to look for God’s hand.
3. Thank Before You Ask
In Philippians 4:6, Paul says to present your requests to God with thanksgiving. Before you bring your needs, pause to remember His past provision. Gratitude before petition changes how you pray.
When the world sees Christians who are content in seasons of waiting, scarcity, or uncertainty, it makes them curious. Gratitude in the wilderness says something powerful: “My joy isn’t tied to my circumstances — it’s tied to my God.”
The Israelites had a chance to display that to the nations watching them. Sadly, their grumbling told a different story. But we can learn from their example.
In your own wilderness season, you may feel tempted to look back longingly or complain about what’s missing. But what if today you asked God to open your eyes to the manna around you?
You might just find that the thing you’ve been taking for granted is actually the miracle that’s sustaining you.
Reflection Questions:
- What’s one “manna” in your life you’ve stopped noticing?
- Where are you tempted to compare your current season to a past one?
- How can you build a daily gratitude habit this week?
Posted in Wilderness