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| Job
6.25 (NIV) “How painful are honest words!” |
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| It is critical we have relationships where folks can speak the hard truth we need to hear sometimes. In isolation, we just won’t grow.* |
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The truth hurts – we’ve all heard it and occasionally
experienced it. The literal translation of Job’s lament is “how
forcible right words are.” Isn’t that the way it feels when we are confronted
with the truth? Hearing the truth forces us into making a decision about it –
whether we choose to ignore it or choose to act on it.
Of course it is easier to hear the hard words when
they come from a trusted source, but even Job’s friends did not speak the “whole
truth and nothing but the truth.” Most of their observations were spot-on about
God and life – in general – but not necessarily about Job specifically.
Much as it hurts
to hear the truth, it is often equally painful to speak the truth. We have our reasons
for why we find it difficult: we don’t like confrontation; we don’t want to
hurt anyone’s feelings; it’s not our place to say anything. Perhaps we should
add to that list: we don’t love the other person enough.
Honest words
must be accompanied by prayer – whether we are hearing or speaking the words. God
will help us discern the truth of the words we hear, and he will help us to
deliver the truth in love and humility. I pray that we will not tune out the
truth just to avoid a little pain.
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| Like two scissor blades that work together to cut the cloth, truth and love are both indispensable to healthy relationships.* |
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