My parents disciplined me as a kid – from
time to time. They claimed that
they disciplined me because they loved me. They would say thinks like, “I do this because I care about your welfare” or “It hurts me worse than in hurts you!” I didn’t believe them.
Looking
back on their investment (and direction), I better understand the spirit of their
message. It was this: people who
love you do what they think is best for you even when it is hard. Loved ones are willing to have the
difficult conversations.
Loved ones tell us the truth – even when we don’t like it. They don’t do it because it is fun or
they enjoy it. They do it because
they care about our welfare and what is right.
In
his letter to the church in Corinth, the Apostle Paul describes and celebrates
this type of love. In doing so,
Paul writes, “Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices in the truth.” Why does love rejoice in the
truth? The truth is healthy for
people to hear. While telling the
truth may not always be fun, it can lead to incredible growth – especially when
we are told the truth in love.
As
you go through the coming week, praise the Lord for the people who loved you
enough to do the hard things.
Praise Jesus for those willing to have the tough conversation. As you do, you will recognize the
loving people God placed in your life.
You will also recognize that God can work through the difficult things
for great results. Praise the
Lord!
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