Love Hurts

Speaking the truth in love. Easier said than done.

How do we do this with those we are closest to? How do we share truths that may hurt without letting our feelings and faults make a mess of things?

I’m sure we would be expert guests on every talk show if we had this figured out. As we stumble around in our relationships with our own judgmental attitudes all we can do is jump in and share out hearts.

Hoping the other person is in it for the long haul.

Both willing to hear and change.

Trying not to judge others by pointing out a sliver in their eye when we have a plank in our own. (Matthew 7:1-5)

Giving grace and forgiveness when things weren’t spoken in the right way.

Granting space when it’s needed.

Praying.

So how do we do all of this in love? Impossible if I say so myself. Let’s look and see what the Bible says…

Ephesians 4:14-16 (NIRV)

We will no longer be babies in the faith. We won’t be like ships tossed around by the waves. We won’t be blown here and there by every new teaching. We won’t be blown around by the cleverness and tricks of people who try to hide their evil plans. Instead, we will speak the truth in love. We will grow up into Christ in every way. He is the Head. He makes the whole body grow and build itself up in love. Under the control of Christ, each part of the body does its work. It supports the other parts. In that way, the body is joined and held together.

Under the control of Christ - Did you catch that? If we are followers of Jesus we can give things to Him and pray for Him to give us the words to speak. It’s not about me or my feelings. It’s all about God and allowing Him to work and speak through us and bring us together in unity.

Relationships are messy. From them come the biggest hurts and the greatest blessings. They’re worth fighting for. God pursues us and fights for us in the midst of running from him. How much more should we fight for others!