Sometimes honesty is hard. For most of my life I stuffed my feelings because I didn’t want to anger those around me. I seem to have an acute awareness of consequences and am always worried about that…even when I’m not the one who has done wrong. For instance, someone does something wrong toward me…then I worry about confronting them because I believe that they either will not agree that they’ve wronged me and will accuse me of being wrong, or they will face a consequence that I worry is too heavy for them to handle.
This is so unhealthy.
Basically, it’s me trying to control all the outcomes and manage the people around me. This does a few negative things…prevents Holy Spirit from moving in their hearts and lives, makes them more irresponsible because they don’t experience consequences that they should, and eventually makes me angry and can destroy relationships.
When we boil it down though, honesty is one of our greatest treasures. In this world full of lies it seems, honesty is in shorter supply than anything else.
Honesty can be gentle. It can come across with humility. It can be unapologetic without being brazen and forceful. Honesty doesn’t have to force anyone else. I think many have completely misunderstood the balm that honesty can be.
Honesty can be refreshing, tender, like a drink of fresh water. In fact, the world is craving honesty. I truly believe the generation of kids growing up are desperate for simple honesty…not gaslighting, manipulation, and deceit for selfish gain.
Honesty is truly the best policy.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. Colossians 3:9
Therefore, each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. Ephesians 4:25
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. James 3:17-18
365 Days in the Presence 