“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” ( I Thessalonians 5:11).

Often times encouragement is better than criticism. Perhaps for a glimpse one could look at Moses’s troubles while leading a restless nation through the wilderness.  At one point Moses took in a wife from a foreign nation, a practice long frowned upon by the Israelites. Given this custom the disquiet could be expected. For those in the crowd this was another opportunity to further agitate against Moses whom they had already accused of bad leadership.

However, there were those closer to Moses, like his siblings Aron and Miriam who could have acted differently. Instead they joined the bandwagon. “Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite” ( Numbers12: 1). Using this as an opportunity to vent their simmering opposition, they went further, “Has the Lord spoken only through Moses?” they asked. “Hasn’t he also spoken through us?” ( vv 2).

The Lord took note of it. He came out and rebuked Aaron and Miriam, quite strongly. “Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” ( vv 8).  Miriam was struck with terrible leprosy and Moses had to plead for her sake. The Lord replied, “Confine her outside the camp for seven days; after that she can be brought back.” So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on till she was brought back” ( vv 14-15).

Are you close to a situation where you notice certain concerns. That is not bad. But perhaps other than being quick to judge and criticise you may make it a point to be an encourager.

And, even more, why not choose to pray! That could yield more positive results than being of a negative and critical tongue.

Prayer today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, make me an encourager other than one who dwells in negative and hurtful talk, this I pray in Jesus’ name.