Consideration for Those Struggling with Difficulties
417
While the workers were straining every nerve to raise means to
help them over an emergency, some of their brethren were standing
by, criticizing and surmising evil, putting a prejudicial construction
on the motives of the heavily burdened laborers, and making their
work more difficult. Blinded by selfishness, these faultfinders did
not discern that their brethren were sufficiently afflicted without the
censure of men who had not borne heavy burdens and responsibilities.
Disappointment is a great trial, but Christian love can turn the defeat
into victory. Reverses will teach caution. We learn by the things we
suffer. Thus we gain experience.
Let care and wisdom be shown in dealing with workers who,
though they have made mistakes, have manifested an earnest, self-
sacrificing interest in the work. Let their brethren say, “We will not
make matters worse by putting another in your place, without giving
you opportunity to retrieve your mistake, and to stand on vantage-
ground, free from the burden of unjust criticism.” Let them be given
time to adjust themselves, to overcome the difficulties surrounding
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them, and to stand before angels and men as worthy workers. They
have made mistakes, but would those who have questioned and crit-
icized have done better? To the accusing Pharisees Christ said, “He
that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone.” [
John 8:7
.]
There are those who are premature in their desire to reform things
that to them appear faulty. They think that they should be chosen to
take the place of those who have made mistakes. They undervalue what
these workers have done while others were looking on and criticizing.
By their actions they say: “I can do great things. I can carry the work
forward successfully.” To those who think they know so well how
to avoid mistakes, I am instructed to say, “Judge not, that ye be not
judged.” [
Matthew 7:1
.] You might avoid mistakes on some points, but
on other things you are liable to make grave blunders, which would
be very difficult to remedy, and which would bring confusion into the
work. These mistakes might do more harm than those your brethren
have made.
The instruction given me is that the men who lay the foundation of
a work, and who, in the face of prejudice, fight their way forward, are
not to be placed in an unfavorable light, in order that others may take
their places. There are earnest workers who, in spite of the criticisms
of some of their brethren, have moved forward in the work that God