Confront with care (2)

Sometimes we're on the receiving end of constructive confrontation. Being made aware of a blind spot in our life can be super awkward.

Let's look at it this way: if someone cares about us so much to take a risk and talk straight to us, they're probably a friend worth having. In 2 Samuel 12, after David had done a whole lot of very-bad-idea things (see the story in 2 Samuel 11), the prophet Nathan heads out to confront him. Nathan delivers what God's told him he thinks about David's adulterous and murderous ways. Tough thing to do... But if we go through life making bad decisions with no one to pull us up, we won't get to where God wants us to be

Looking back on his experience of sinning and then being restored, David was able to say: 'Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word' (Psalm 119:67 NIV). Nathan hit the spot with his criticism, and we all know how that can hurt. But David took the pain that he felt, and used it to draw back to the real focus of his life: God. That's the value of having someone looking out for us; so let's listen for the love behind their words and know it's a chance to re-start.



So what now? Take this risk... Go to a Christian whom you really trust, and ask for their opinion on one thing you could work on. Use this as a chance to work on taking positive criticism on board.





— SCRIPTURE —

'You can trust a friend who corrects you.' Proverbs 27:6 CEV
— SOULFOOD —

Joel 1-3, Matt 1:18-25, Ps 43, Pro 10:17-18