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Job 6: 25 “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 from the Hebrew 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 them. 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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