Care Enough To Confront (1)
Speak the truth.Ephesians 4:25 NRS
Even when it's spoken in love, the truth can still create tension. That's why we'll do anything to avoid confrontation. It's also why our relationships die on the vine. Following the path of least resistance makes rivers (and people) lose their way because: (a) the problem always resurfaces; (b) untreated, it gets worse; (c) disappointment infects the relationship; (d) unexpressed anger leads to bitterness; (e) our love grows cold.
Avoiding confrontation means failing to use the tools God's given us to restore harmony. "Peace at any price" is a tactic of Satan. Anytime you care enough to confront somebody, he'll whisper, "Why bother? It'll just make trouble. It'll sort itself out." If you heed Satan's lies you'll kill the relationship for sure. The Bible says, "If your brother sins...show him his fault in private" ( Matthew 18:15 NAS). That can mean saying, "I love you too much to stand by while you work yourself to death, or ruin your health through lack of exercise and bad eating habits, or settle for too little." Or, "I care too much about our relationship to let it fizzle out." Speaking the truth in love means taking a risk. It requires two fundamental convictions. One: that honesty is more important than avoiding conflict. Two: that the other person's well-being is more important than their comfort level. The reason God says, "Speak the truth," is because any other approach just destroys relati! onships. So - is there somebody you need to talk to today? If so, pray, and then do it!
Bible-in-a-year Reading:1-2,Matthew 4:12-25,Psalm 94:1-11,Proverbs 10:24-26
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