Transparency and Honesty

It can be challenging to live a life embracing transparency and honesty. I have learned (a painful lesson) that if there’s a problem in a relationship, it never helps to take that problem to a person who cannot fix it.

“Ugh! Can I just vent for a moment on how ____________ talked to me?”

It’s not always comfortable to gauge words before they’re spoken in haste.

“I’m so angry with ____________. Don’t tell anyone, but I’m about to explode.”

Beware of the slippery slope of gossip.

If You Need Input Before Moving Forward

But what if you need help with sorting your feelings before you move on? There’s wisdom in seeking help.

The discerning heart seeks knowledge, but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.
Proverbs 15:14

Sometimes we need help finding our way out of a difficult situation. There’s no harm in that. But it’s how we get it.

If you think you’ve been wronged, as soon as you can, go to the person who you think wronged you. Jesus saw this coming. He gave us a recipe to follow.

“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.
Matthew 18:15-17

It may not always be easy to do, but it’s the best action to take.

Healing is Wisdom

Work toward reconciliation. It’s the right thing to do. Not only that, but it feels good to be able to sleep at night knowing a relationship has been healed. But it takes work!

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle. Proverbs 18:19

Is there a hard conversation you’ve been avoiding? Revisit it prayerfully, and with transparency and honesty.

What say you?

What do you wonder about?  Are you happy … or are you doing what you never thought you’d do? Do you see consistencies … or are you all over the place? Drop me a line. I’d love to chat.

Struggling to find good in your life? Check out my award-winning book, God’s Best During Your Worst, or check out any of my other books on my Book page.