Words of Encouragement

To Brother W. O. Palmer I would say: Be not discouraged. When your fellow workers manifest the spirit of the enemy by saying and doing things that hurt, keep silent; for this is your strength. When you are misjudged and tantalized, remember that you are not the only one who is wounded. Christ, in the person of his saints, receives the insults that are intended for us. Look to Jesus; behold his hands and his feet pierced for your sake; say within your heart, He was wounded for my transgressions. He was bruised for my iniquities, the chastisement of my peace was upon him, and with his stripes I am healed.SpM 291.1

There are seasons of trouble when you can see nothing to calm and reassure, seasons when you feel helpless under the pressure of implied guilt. In the confusion, you know not which way to turn. Neither you nor Edson White should ever speak words of retaliation. Pray together. Remember the storm on the sea of Galilee. The disciples did all they could to save themselves and the ship, but their strength and skill availed them nothing. Helpless in the grasp of the tempest, they looked into one another's faces, and could read only discouragement and despair. Their boat was filling.SpM 291.2

Absorbed in their efforts to save themselves, they had forgotten that Jesus was on board. Suddenly they came to their senses. They remembered at whose command they had set out to cross the sea. In Jesus was their only hope. “Master, Master!” they cried. There was no response to their call. Again they called; again no response. Suddenly a flash of lightning revealed him sleeping. Arousing him, they exclaimed, “Lord, save us, we perish! And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. But the men marveled, saying, What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him?”SpM 291.3

There [are] seasons of trouble when no human being on the earth can help us. To such a time the disciples had come, when they remembered that Jesus was on board their vessel.SpM 291.4

Could our eyes be opened, we should behold Satan watching for an opportunity to stir up the human passions, to prompt men and women to speak words that cause the tempted one to lose vantage ground with God and to stand on the enemy's ground, where he will be overcome by Satan's wiles. Thus the confidence of the brethren in one another is hurt and destroyed. Let every one look unto Jesus, and keep the tongue from uttering any words but those that Jesus uttered when he was tempted in all points like as we are. He always met the tempter with the words, “It is written.” This we can do in all safety. When the feelings are stirred, not one word should be uttered, even in answer to a provoking question.SpM 291.5

There are times when those who claim to be God's children can be very exasperating: for, inspired by Satan, they manifest a perverse, stubborn spirit, making it very hard for others who desire to do right. But let every tried and tempted one remember that the Majesty of heaven has been tempted in all points like as the members of the human family are tempted, and he knows how to succor those who are beset by the powers of darkness.SpM 292.1

Paul, in his epistle to the Hebrews, writes: “Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man taketh this honor unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, today have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place, Thou art a priest forever after the order of Melchisedec. Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto Him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.”SpM 292.2

“Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which can not be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”SpM 292.3

My brethren, you need to bear in mind that you are in the presence of One who has compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity.” Let all our workers in every place keep this in mind. He who puts his trust in Christ can never be severed from him by any man. “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” Will you believe this, even when sorely tempted by Satan to speak unadvisedly? Not a word can be spoken to arouse in another man's mind feelings that will unbalance Him, but that Christ himself is hurt in the person of one of the members of his family.SpM 292.4

How subtly Satan works to create disaffection and strife among brethren! Those who are so ready to criticize and condemn should study their Bibles. Christ says, “Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life.... It is the Spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing! the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life.”SpM 292.5

I am instructed to send words of warning to the workers at Nashville: Look to Jesus, and not to men. We must realize the nothingness of man's wisdom. Christ is saying to you personally: Your case is in my keeping. So long as you cooperate with Me, you are entirely safe. Your comfort, your peace, lie not in human agencies or in the confederacies you may form. Those who are willing to wear my yoke and learn of me my meekness and lowliness, shall find rest, because they make me their trust, their dependence. “Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Your comfort and peace lie not in seeking for the mastery or in striving for selfish advantage.SpM 292.6

There are workers who are under the leadership of Him who is above all principalities and powers. These have peace and rest in Christ Jesus. They are not watching for defects in their fellow workers. They do not stand on Satan's side of the controversy as accusers of their brethren, weakening and destroying the influence of God's children.SpM 293.1

The work to be done is the Lord's, and He has entrusted this work to man. Our call to ministry is received from no human being. To every man God has given his work. How careful every one should be not to neglect his God-given work by devoting his mind, his tongue, his influence, to discourage another laborer of God's appointment, and to try to break up a good work. To do this is to fight against God.SpM 293.2

When the light of Christ's countenance is revealed in the faces of his workers, when Christlikeness characterizes their spirit and disposition, this will be so unmistakably plain that none can help seeing that they have been with Jesus and have learned of Him.SpM 293.3

Ellen G. White.