Relationship PuzzlesSample

Speak up!

Something was still bothering me.

I didn’t know why. I was working hard to make peace with a friend. We had several tough discussions. We finally started to understand each other’s perspectives. I felt like I learned every lesson I needed to about that situation. 

So, why was something still bothering me?

I prayed, “Lord, if there is more that you need to show me about my mistakes, I am open to hearing it.” To be honest, I was a little afraid to pray it. I thought, “Oh no, What more did I do wrong?” I didn’t sense any answer from Him yet, so I went on with my day.

The next day it hit me HARD. It was in a verse that I read. 

“You must teach these things and encourage your people to do them, correcting them when necessary as one who has every right to do so. Don’t let anyone think that what you say is not important.” Titus 2:15 (TLB)

I realized what God wanted me to know. I LET a person treat what I said as unimportant. I LET myself be dismissed, minimized, and invalidated. When someone else doubted me, then I doubted myself too. I doubted, “Maybe my perspective is wrong after all?”

I felt God tell me that I must NEVER AGAIN ALLOW my feelings, thoughts, and perspectives to be ignored. It is my responsibility to speak up for myself. I have a right to correct someone else when I know that they are not hearing me and understanding my points.

I was grieved to see how I made a situation worse and more complicated. I felt bad, but it also led me to decide that I absolutely must change myself. I also felt loved by God, even when He corrects me. He sees me and knows me so well. I am not invisible to Him, and nothing I do is overlooked. It reminds me that He is always close and watching over me.

Response:

Don’t be afraid to ask God to tell you about ALL of your mistakes. I know the discipline stings our hearts, but He is good. He is telling you for a good reason, to set you free!