You don't want to step on toes
but
you don't want to walk on eggshells
either
So my brilliant sister has been known to say.
How often have we been guilty as charged when it comes to failing to communicate well?
It seems that without a whole lot of thoughtful sensitivity, we're sorely inclined to tromp all over each other another with our self-absorbed personal agendas and our tiresome strident opinions.
Or do the polar opposite.
Apologizing profusely for daring to speak above a whisper, we dance around the subject at hand with mouse-like trepidation, never fully speaking the truth for fear of offending.
There is a better way.
*
Speaking the truth in love.
These five words jump out in Ephesians 4, as Paul writes to his friends in Ephesus. He's talking about the necessity of cultivating spiritual maturity, pursuing the daunting task of being a unifier. He's urging humbleness, gentleness, and patience prompted by a sacred love and consideration for each other.
Yes, even {and especially} when there is a compelling need to speak truth that's necessary for others to hear.
*
In this season where kindness, grace, and respect seem to be as rare as hen's teeth, God continues to issue this urgent invitation to claim a more uplifting, productive way of communicating what begs to be spoken.
Not so we feel relieved to get something off our chests.
But that Christ may be honored by every word that tumbles from our lips, springing forth from hearts fully yielded to Him.
*
visiting with
