HAVE YOU HEARD about the cowboy who was fired because he said a discouraging word? According to the song, "Home on the Range", it was seldom done. Unfortunately discouraging words are uttered rather frequently instead of just seldom heard. They are said almost everywhere human beings congregate, including our own ecclesial meetings. Instead of the encouragement which we all need, some of our own group sometimes weaken the hands of the workers with a discouraging word.

We have an example of this with Judah's remarks in Nehemiah 4:10: "The strength of the bearers of burdens is decayed, and there is much rubbish; so that we are not able to build the wall." Nehemiah was doing his best to keep everyone working at the rebuilding of the wall and these negative remarks were about as welcome as measles on a vacation. Already Nehemiah had his hands full with bitter enemies from without who were poking fun at his labors saying, "What do these feeble Jews, even that which they build if a fox go up he shall even break down their stone wall." The ridicule would have been easier to take if only those with Nehemiah could put up a united front, but discouraging words like Judah uttered often tend to take the heart out of the rest of the workers.

Let us make sure that we are not guilty of saying discouraging words when a worthwhile effort for the Truth is proposed. It is always easier to say "It can't be done" than to try, and this negative thinking is apt to discourage the hands of those preparing to do it.

It certainly worked this way when the ten spies came hack with their report to Moses. "The land flows with milk and honey nevertheless the people be strong, we be not able to go up against the people for they are stronger than we." The effect of these discouraging words was disastrous. The same thing can happen in our day.

The children of Israel had God on their side and still discouraging words prevailed. We are assured, as was Joshua, that if we observe to do according to all that God has commanded, then He will make our way prosperous and we shall have good success. Do any of us dare to be negative when God is so positive? "If God be for us, who can be against us?" No wonder Paul cried out "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

We have nothing to fear if we have God. Peter walked on water as long as he looked toward his Lord. It was only when he looked away at the wind and waves that he became discouraged and began to sink.

Discouragement, thought or spoken, can rob us of opportunities to rise up and build. It is important to be sure that we are doing what God has commanded but this being true, let us neither say or listen to discouraging words. "Be ye strong therefore, and let not your hands be weak: for your work shall be rewarded."