The Burden of Negative Attitudes

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. Then the people cried out to Moses, and Moses prayed to the Lord, and the fire died down. So the name of that place was called Taberah, because the fire of the Lord burned among them.

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! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at.” Numbers 11:1-6

As God led and provided for the Israelites, complaining and bad attitudes were not far behind. The people had been led from slavery in Egypt, they had been given manna to eat for nourishment. They had seen the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, the building of the tabernacle with God descending upon the tent as a visible cloud. The Israelites had continually seen the pillar of fire at night knowing God was with them. Yet, they still found it in themselves to complain. They seemed to quickly forgot all that God had done for them and focused on the negative.

What started as a few people complaining, quickly spread to the entire community.

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. Numbers 11:10

And, Moses, arguably the greatest leader that ever lived, was carrying the burden of negative attitudes, estimated to be over a million people. This burden was enough for him to want to die. He asks God to take his life.

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 11:15

A bad attitude never lives in a silo. Negative attitudes always spread, always infect others. And, someone always has to carry the burden of negative attitudes. And these attitudes are burdens indeed, ultimately causing division among people.

Jesus talked much about attitude, mainly the skeptic or those that saw the negative, the bad in other people.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye. Matthew 7:1-5

Additionally, he was ready to defend those carrying the burdens of the negative attitudes.

And while he was at Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he was reclining at table, a woman came with an alabaster flask of ointment of pure nard, very costly, and she broke the flask and poured it over his head. There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. But Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want, you can do good for them. But you will not always have me. She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.” Mark 14:3-9

The woman with the expensive ointment, poured it at the feet of Jesus, in honest, open, transparent worship. And, the skeptics standing around her scolded her. I can see them rolling their eyes, calling her names. Maybe a legalist, worshipping for show. Jesus defended her, honored her, and told them what an incredible legacy of faith she would leave. And, she did leave an awesome legacy.

Another time, he defended a lady caught in adultery.

The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in adultery, and placing her in the midst they said to him, “Teacher, this woman has been caught in the act of adultery. Now in the Law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. So what do you say?” This they said to test him, that they might have some charge to bring against him. Jesus bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground. And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” And once more he bent down and wrote on the ground. But when they heard it, they went away one by one, beginning with the older ones, and Jesus was left alone with the woman standing before him. Jesus stood up and said to her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?” She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” Numbers 8:3-11

Jesus was grace. He offered complete forgiveness, not punishment. The lady no longer had to carry the burden.

Negative attitudes never live in a silo. They are always intentionally directed at others or unintentionally spread like a fire to others. Someone always carries the burden of a bad attitude. Either a leader, a family member, a friend, or, maybe a spouse, the negative, bad attitude impacts others.

The world is full of skeptics. Bitterness and resentment seem to run rampant. It is easy to find the bad in other people, but see the good in oneself. What seems a simple individual point of view, creates division and a burden that someone has to ultimately carry. Negative attitudes divide.

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person. Colossians 4:6

Be gracious to others today. When you are tempted to insert negative points of views, be gracious. See the good and exclaim it.

Impact others. Live generously.

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