Here is the question of the day.Which is the more loving thing to do, I wonder?
To speak the truth in love (that last part can be difficult), knowing that it may not be received well...
Or to remain silent in the face of unkindness?
I know there are lessons for me to learn...
I'm just not sure which ones!
Opinions are welcome...
A blessed Holy Thursday to you!
11 comments:
Well, it is only my opinion, so I am not sure what it is worth, but I have found that since entering the Church the best option has always been truth, even if it will not be received well. After all, Our Lord spoke truth always, and look what will happen to him in two days (Good Friday), but His was the most necessary Truth. It may be difficult, and it may lead to our own Calvary like it did for Christ, but it is necessary.
We must try our best I think to give truth in love. Because even though it may not be received well, we do not know the seed that has been planted. Also by putting forward truth, there will be no misconceptions about where the person giving the truth is coming from, which is always good. That person will come to be known as an individual that can be trusted, even if some people do not like the truth they give. :)
God bless,
DJ
I agree. It is difficult to deliver truth to those who prefer not to hear it, but we are responsible for their souls. The Lord knows they may not listen, but we at least have done as He commands.
DJ & Christine: I appreciate your comments. Thank you! (DJ, I like your analogy of Good Friday.)
Do I understand you to mean that if someone treats me unkindly, I am to lovingly correct them and that not doing so may be neglecting my responsibility for doing what is best for their souls?
God bless you both! :)
Esther, I can't believe someone would treat YOU unkindly! You are the most kind and gentle of souls! When I think of this unkind person, I imagine that he must make this kind of behavior his normal interaction with people. Perhaps if you, in your sweet sincere way, point out the hurt he causes, he could change. He has probably been treated unkindly himself and views this as a normal way to interact. A person like that is usually defensive and not receptive to other points of view. I will pray that in your gentle way, you will find the words to let him know that he is hurting you, and that you will know the right time to do it. God Bless.
Not what is best for their souls...but what is best for your soul, dear Esther!
If someone treats you unkindly and you are offended, you may speak up. You may say, "You have offended me by using that tone of voice with me..." or "I am offended that you treated me in that manner." or "I am unable to respond to your comments until they are rephrased in a nicer tone of voice..."
You get the gist of that...and the reason I say it is for your soul, is because the behavior will eat away at you while the other person who is perpetuating the behavior is going along, merrily, merrily.
Now, mind you, you may be slapped down, slammed and shunned - but, your soul will be at peace because instead of letting the other behavior fester and bring you sinful thoughts, you will have lovingly placed your words at the other persons feet. It is now their responsibility.
Of course, the other person may not change at all and then you have to decide if you wish to continue a toxic relationship or if you wish to depart from that.
It is always important to discern if their behavior is eating at your pride, or if their behavior is truly unwarranted.
Life ain't for sissies!!! That is why we need Christ!
love you -
I feel like I shouldn't give opinions when I don't know the circumstances, but I have been thinking about it today. This morning I wrote about telling the person he was hurting your feelings. As I started worrying that I shouldn't have said anything, thoughts came to me about my own encounter with hurtful people. In the not too distant past, my circumstances were such that I journeyed through life with two people in a row who hurt my feelings for a few years each. I wondered why God would repeatedly put these people in my life. In the end, I became a much better person because of the experience. I learned many things about myself and also learned things about that type of person, lessons I could take with me and have used since with others. Although it was very painful, the experience changed me for the better in the long run. But I never did confront either of them. One has actually changed into a nicer person because his/her own life changed for the better. I'll pray that you do the right thing for both of you.
Lee Anne: Thanks so much for your comments, sissy! (That's sissy as in sister, not, you know, sissy.) :)
Anne: I can completely relate to what you say about learning through the experiences. I agree, the pain helps us grow. And I will say the same thing to you: I cannot imagine anyone being unkind to you as you are the sweetest and gentlest of persons!
PS Lee Anne - you've always got my back! ;)
I am praying, dear one. For you and the other person; hoping this will iron its self out soon. When I say the Divine Mercy, I add the stations ... like I learned from one Divine Mercy weekend ... long ago. Meditate on the stations; especially the ones that hurt JESUS most. Of course, they are all horrible, but I stop a moment on #11 ... and say ... Ohe, my JESUS; forgive us our sins; save us from the fires of hell; especially those in MOST NEED of THY mercy. And think about the other person while doing that; praying that they be saved.
DIEU TE BENISSE!!! Cajun Sissy
Macile: Thank you! And you're right, the Stations help with forgiveness and endurance through pain. God spoke to me through the Stations recently. (I wrote about it: "Cross.")
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