May 22, 2025

Blessings and Fiery Serpents

In a world where gratitude is a virtue, there is little that sours relationships and poisons the soul more than an ungrateful heart. Complaining and ungratefulness are not just bad habits; they reveal a deeper flaw in a person’s character—one that dismisses blessings, disregards kindness, and dishonors the efforts of others. When someone has been abundantly blessed and supported by those around them, only to turn around and grumble in dissatisfaction, it is a glaring display of entitlement, selfishness, and ingratitude.

I am guilty of being ungrateful. I have also experienced what it is like to help others only to have them complain and be ungrateful. It is heartbreaking to have someone not appreciate in the least the sacrifices made for them, being totally taken for granted. Or even worse, put on a guilt trip about how it was not good enough for them. Beggars can't be choosers. When asking or begging others for help, anything is better than nothing and should be appreciated as such. If something given to us or done for us is not to our liking, then it is time to put on our 'grown-up' pants and make it happen to our liking. Otherwise, stop complaining about it. Personally, I think it is more of an immature behavior. I can look back on my early years in life and am disgusted with how immature and ungrateful I was. And the sad thing is, I don't know that I would have ever learned how to be more appreciative and thankful without going through difficult times that have made me better appreciate the blessings in my life and what others do for me out of the goodness of their hearts.

We are all infants when we start out, depending on others to care for us 100%. But hopefully, at some point we mature, growing out of that, learning to care for ourselves and others as much as possible. Then, as we age, we may end up going back into that infantile state of needing others to care for us 100%. However, there are many years in between those two infantile states where we need to grow up, mature, be independent, caring for ourselves 100% and even helping others when possible.

There are few things more disheartening than witnessing someone take another’s sacrifices for granted. When people “bend over backwards” to help someone—offering their time, resources, and love—only to receive nothing but complaints in return, it breeds resentment and frustration. At its core, ungratefulness disrespects the kindness of others, making it one of the most toxic attributes a person can possess.

This type of attitude is especially appalling when it comes from individuals who have been exceedingly blessed. Many people in the world struggle to survive, facing hardship beyond comprehension. Yet, those who have been given abundance, provision, and even special opportunities sometimes complain about what they lack instead of appreciating all they have. It’s not just an insult to those who helped them—it’s an affront to the goodness that surrounds them.

The Bible speaks volumes about gratitude and warns against the dangers of complaining. One of the most striking biblical examples of God’s displeasure toward an ungrateful people can be found in the Old Testament. In Numbers 21:4-9 (KJV), the Israelites, despite being freed from slavery in Egypt, began to murmur against God and Moses, complaining about the food and provisions given to them. Their whining and lack of faith led to serious consequences.

In response to their ingratitude, God sent fiery serpents into their camp, and many Israelites were bitten and died. It was only after they recognized their wrongdoing and pleaded for mercy that God instructed Moses to craft a bronze serpent—those who looked upon it in faith were healed. This terrifying event serves as a powerful lesson: complaining dishonors God, and ungratefulness invites judgment.

God desires a thankful heart. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) instructs believers to "give thanks in all things" because gratitude reflects trust, humility, and reverence for God's providence. When we complain, we deny the blessings in front of us and suggest that God’s provision is not enough—an attitude that can lead to spiritual decay.

I really don't want to risk making God angry enough with me to send something as terrifying and unpleasant as fiery serpents into my life. Literally or figuratively. It was a real eye opener to read about how God responds to complaining and ungratefulness. Especially after He has abundantly blessed someone and it is not 'good enough' for them. It has made me better aware of just how much complaining I can do sometimes along with being ungrateful. I am abundantly blessed. Even though I try, I need to be even more grateful and thankful for the blessings from God and everyone in my life. I know if I get to the point in my life where I no longer appreciate a cool breeze, for example, that I may be placed into a situation that will teach me to better appreciate what a blessing a cool breeze can be.

An ungrateful spirit can destroy relationships, drain joy, and sever faith. Instead of allowing entitlement to take root, we should cultivate thankfulness. Recognizing blessings—even in the smallest details—creates an outlook filled with joy, peace, and appreciation for the goodness around us.

The next time we are tempted to complain, let us remember:
Someone has prayed for the blessings we take for granted.
Someone has sacrificed to make our lives easier.
And most importantly, God has given us far more than we deserve.

May we choose gratitude, not grumbling. Thankfulness, not entitlement. And appreciation, not ungratefulness. For in doing so, we honor those who bless us—and, more importantly, we honor God.

Thanks be to God,