Deal with others well (4)

The Bible tells us that when Miriam criticised her brother Moses because of the wife he chose, God gave her leprosy (see Numbers 12:1-10). Rewind... what? Why would a loving God do, or even allow, something like that? Well, as much as God is love and, better, that he loves us, that doesn't make him the 'softy in the sky'. God's more than able to use 'tough love' when he needs to (and his is always actually loving).

Miriam's problem didn't start in her relationship with God, but with her brother. But God takes a deep interest in how we treat each other (like parents who correct their children for refusing to share...). God's not going to approve of us messing each other about, then wanting to cozy up to him and ask for his blessing. He sees through it. And just like that parent, he cares for all his children. Not only does he want the 'victim' to get justice, it's also important that the perpetrator learns not to do that again. So if our attitude to each other stinks, he'll do the most loving thing for us to learn that lesson, even if it's massively inconvenient to us.

There's a pile of research confirming that a habit of finding faults in others is destructive for the one finding fault. But most of us know that just from looking around the office/playground...



So what now? Each time you see a flaw in someone today, counteract that criticism with a thought about a strength they have.





— SCRIPTURE —

'Take delight in honouring each other.' Romans 12:10 NLT
— SOULFOOD —

Eze 1-4, Matt 15:1-14, Ps 4, Pro 14:17-20