truth hurts real good

What an inconvenience!

I mean, seriously. Doesn't it just stink that the thing that people need to hear most is what they enjoy hearing the least?

It's just the way we are, isn't it? We love people as long as they always tell us what we want to hear and smile at us a lot. Are these expectations of others healthy? Are they even based in reality?

I think not.

Truth is, we tend to keep people at a safe distance from us. None of us want to be alone and not have any friends, but very few people want a friend that cares enough to say the uncomfortable but true things that they need to hear. We like friends that only talk about things they KNOW we agree with. Rugby, TV shows, or maybe that person that both of you don't really like.

Maybe you love to talk to other people that are frustrated with Christians or the Church.

Or, maybe you love to talk about how other people just don't 'get it' as much as you do.

Maybe it's been a long time since you've had a discussion that wasn't comfortable.

Maybe that's why we struggle so much with conflict.

Maybe we have forgotten how to speak the truth in love.

Maybe we don't want to hear the truth about us.

Proverbs 15 (selected verses)
A fool despises his father's instruction, but he who receives reproof is prudent. v. 5
Harsh correction is for him who forsakes the way, and he who hates reproof will die. v. 10
A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, nor will he go to the wise. v. 12
The ear that hears the reproof of life will abide among the wise v.31
He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, but he who heeds reproof gets understanding. v.32

Be willing to be the BEARER or RECIPIENT of truth.
Strangely enough, sometimes those with the hardest message to hear are often the ones that care about you most.