From Complaining to Meekness: Finding Our Strength in the Wilderness

There are times when the blessings feel like a constant, overwhelming miracle. We get used to the manna, the daily provision, and suddenly, the monotony—or the difficulty—of the journey weighs on us. We start to complain, not because we lack provision, but because we miss the 'good old days' of Egypt. It’s a pattern we see in the scriptures, and honestly, it’s a pattern we see in our own lives.

It reminds me of a recent podcast episode I listened to, where a sister shared a deeply personal account of navigating disappointment and unexpected setbacks surrounding a family baptism. It was a powerful reminder that even when our plans—our perfect, picture-postcard moments—are disrupted, the Lord’s timing and plan are always superior.

The core lesson, whether we’re looking at the Israelites grumbling in the desert or navigating a sudden bout of illness before a milestone event, is this: How do we approach the Lord when we are frustrated, overwhelmed, or simply tired of the struggle?

The Power of Meekness Over Complaining

The speaker highlighted that we often picture meekness as being quiet, perfectly pious, and never expressing frustration. But that’s a myth we need to set aside! True meekness, as I learned from listening to the full episode, isn't about suppressing our real emotions. It’s about *simultaneously* feeling the anger, the devastation, or the annoyance, while also holding fast to the knowledge: “I know Thee, Lord. I know I am in Thy hands, and I know that Thou art doing what’s best for me.”

We don’t approach the Lord with meekness to placate His ego, nor do we do it to try and get Him to change His mind. We approach Him with meekness because it blesses US. It allows Him to show us the reality of our situation.

This is a gift, disciples. Meekness doesn't mean we pretend everything is perfect. It means that even when we are bawling our hearts out to Him, we can cling to our testimony that He loves us and that He has an eternal plan that is greater than our immediate discomfort.

Seeing Beyond the Day

The beautiful takeaway from both the scriptural example and the personal story is that the immediate trial—the constant manna, the canceled plans—is always smaller than the eternal blessing. The baptism wasn't just about that single day; it was about the covenant binding her to the Savior forever. The struggle, the wilderness, the difficulty—these things are the very things that teach us to see that bigger picture.

If we can approach our challenges with this kind of faith, we realize that the Lord is working to refine us. He can’t take away the struggle without robbing us of the purpose of the Plan of Salvation: growth. And meekness is the spiritual lubricant that softens that struggle enough for us to see it clearly and rejoice anyway.

As we continue our discipleship, whether we are in the intensity of MTC, navigating the complexities of a new assignment, or just having a tough week at home, let’s remember this principle. Don't let frustration blind you to the covenants you’ve made or the eternal blessings awaiting you. Trust the process, trust the Savior, and approach Him with all your honest emotions, anchored by meekness.

If this resonated with you, I encourage you to take some time to reflect on a time recently when you felt frustrated with the Lord’s timing. What did you learn by choosing meekness instead of complaint? If you want to hear more about this discussion, please listen to the full episode here:

For those of us who are preparing to serve, or who are currently serving, remember that every moment is an opportunity to be an internet missionary. And if you want to dig deeper into these principles, I highly recommend checking out the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. Keep striving to be Christlike, my brothers and sisters. We are doing the work together!