June 11, 2008
That’s the theme of RTF this month. Do Hard Things.
What does that look like? What does that mean?
Doing hard things means we don’t talk bad about others–even when they deserve it.
Last night I was hanging out with some friends. One started talking about a guy who had messed up. He had said something stupid. He hurt a friend. It made my friend angry, and she vented.
I listened, and to be honest, I agreed with everything that she said.
But if I joined in and it became a group bashing of the person–who was not in the room, who couldn’t defend himself, who was usually a pretty cool guy when he wasn’t sticking his foot in his mouth–then it was gossip.
Do hard things.
I kept my mouth shut.
Now, that’s not so hard. Is it?
I think it is. Sometimes it feels good to let it fly, to talk about someone else’s failures or point out what makes them wrong. It might even make us feel better. Or it justifies our anger.
What is the right thing to do? To talk to the friend privately. “Hey guy, did you realize how hurtful you were when you said that? Maybe, you didn’t know. But as your friend, I love you and I’m always going to be honest with you.”
That doesn’t mean you go around looking for opportunities to straighten people out. But in those moments when someone really does do something harmful and they are clueless, you hold a one-on-one and then move on, allowing them the choice to listen or not. You handle it with class, instead of having a mini-bashing session as soon as they leave the room.
1 Peter 4:8: Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.
Do hard things.
Suzie
Lydia Rule says:
Love the pic. for this devo…