Tough Love

Proverbs 27:5
An open rebuke is better than hidden love!

Have you ever wished that someone would just come out and tell you what they think of you? Even if it means you won't like what they say? To rebuke is to reprimand. How often as adults would we be receiving of a good reprimand. Can you think of a time you know that someone could have easily pointed out something that you were up to that would have been true, even if you didn't like it? What about a time when you were counting on someone to keep you on the right path, an accountability partner, who never rebuked you. How can we love others if we are not willing to rebuke them when it is needed? It's called tough love and these days, I wish there were more of it in my life and the world. To call someone out is not very fun. May I suggest that you first seek God or if prompted by the Holy Spirit, then speak up. But if you really think you need to say something, don't hold back the truth, don't hide your love.

I know of a story that I am going to be careful to share. It involved a situation where one person was not living a very good life and providing a very safe atmosphere for her child. When that person was open to receiving love, or rebuke, it was not given. Instead, the situation was ignored and heartache and pain came through watching this person continue to destroy her life. Mostly because of the fear of how this person may react to rebuke, and because of the fact that it would expose the thoughts and feelings of the person who felt they should offer a call out.

Are there times that you have held back, let fear guide your ability to call out someone you love and care for? Are you really open to those who you love and trust to call you out when you need it? To call someone out would be to bring them out of where they are. What if you were the tool God wanted to use to change someones destructive path? Would you do it?

Dear Lord, this is not always easy for anyone in the flesh and living in this world today. To actually confront anyone with a careful rebuke, or call them out is not usually very desirable. Lord, please give us the guidance we need when we are in the situation to practice tough love or to keep quiet for a season. It is you that we want to ultimately reflect in our words and actions, so I ask that when we feel called to act, we will also be careful to use few words, only those that are needed, and to practice unconditional love towards one another. Lord, I thank you for your Holy spirit that gives me a Holy call out once in a while and prompts me when I can be used to help guide others down the "better" path. Amen.

Please pray with me this week for Anna B. thank you.