Think about this statement - "Truth has its time. If you tell someone the truth before they are ready to hear it, you can push them further away no matter how well intentioned you might be."I was doing my normal reading and this phrase came up. It really got me thinking - especially the second part of the statement - no matter how well intentioned you might be. As leaders, teachers or even parents - many times we try our best to teach and coach the ones we love: to help them see the truth, but then it does not always bring about a positive result. Sometimes our well intentions may even be misunderstood. =(
But, the question will be - are we going to give up & let go OR are we going to continue to love and speak the truth?
Earning our rights to speak truth into others I believe is strongly needed - and that means taking the extra time and effort to build relationship and to really understand the people that God has brought and will continue to bring into our lives. True love can be felt - when we are truly concern for those that God brings and we want to share and tell them the truth, they will be able to feel our concerns. However, like what the above statement says - Truth will only be well accepted when the listener is ready and willing to listen. When they are not, even if we insist that it's time they hear about it - our actions are only pushing them further away from the truth and also from us.
So what should we do in times like that? How do we know they are ready to hear?
1. Be sensitive and really listen to them (do this continuously)
2. Pray for them as they share
3. Discern the timing and the leading of the H.Spirit
4. Present the truth well (do not force it down their throat)
5. Whatever their responses may be, continue to love them and show that you care (discover their love language - how they want to be love)
God always have a way in helping the ones that we are concern about know the truth. His ways are higher and His timing is always the best. When things seems to look and feel stormy, let's learn to rest and surrender those that we love to Him - Our Heavenly Father knows what's best.
In the mean time, are you ready to listen to the truth that others are wanting to tell you? Are you positioning yourself to be a willing student of the truth so that it can penetrate into your heart at anytime given time? Ponder about this......
But, the question will be - are we going to give up & let go OR are we going to continue to love and speak the truth?
Earning our rights to speak truth into others I believe is strongly needed - and that means taking the extra time and effort to build relationship and to really understand the people that God has brought and will continue to bring into our lives. True love can be felt - when we are truly concern for those that God brings and we want to share and tell them the truth, they will be able to feel our concerns. However, like what the above statement says - Truth will only be well accepted when the listener is ready and willing to listen. When they are not, even if we insist that it's time they hear about it - our actions are only pushing them further away from the truth and also from us.
So what should we do in times like that? How do we know they are ready to hear?
1. Be sensitive and really listen to them (do this continuously)
2. Pray for them as they share
3. Discern the timing and the leading of the H.Spirit
4. Present the truth well (do not force it down their throat)
5. Whatever their responses may be, continue to love them and show that you care (discover their love language - how they want to be love)
God always have a way in helping the ones that we are concern about know the truth. His ways are higher and His timing is always the best. When things seems to look and feel stormy, let's learn to rest and surrender those that we love to Him - Our Heavenly Father knows what's best.
In the mean time, are you ready to listen to the truth that others are wanting to tell you? Are you positioning yourself to be a willing student of the truth so that it can penetrate into your heart at anytime given time? Ponder about this......
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