It Was THIS Big!

In my distress I called to the LORD, and he answered me. Deliver me, O LORD, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue. What shall be given to you, and what more shall be done to you, you deceitful tongue? A warrior's sharp arrows, with glowing coals of the broom tree! (Psalm 120:1-4 ESV).

When scrolling through some craft projects recently I found one that was altogether too close to home! It reminded me of our reading today. Yesterday I wrote a bit about seeking the truth. Today I thought it might be interesting to look at telling the truth. I read a funny little story about an excited husband who called to tell his wife he had been asked to accompany the boss on a fishing expedition to Canada. The husband had to leave that evening and asked his wife if she would mind packing a few things for him. He added, “Be sure to include my new silk pajamas.” She thought that sounded ‘fishy,’ but said nothing. When the man returned from his trip, his wife asked how it went. “Great,” he said. “Did you catch anything?” she asked. “Yes, pike and walleye. What fun!” Then he asked, “But why didn’t you pack my blue silk pajamas?” “I did,” she said, “They were in your tackle box.” Ouch! That’s a lot worse than lying about the size of your catch! However, we all know that lying is not restricted to fishermen. Lying is, most of all, about stupidity. You will be found out. You may be getting away with it for now. But in the end, the truth comes out. It may not be until you die, but God has on file everything you’ve ever said. You’d be wise to seek His forgiveness and start telling the truth. Always! Otherwise, you’ll eventually look like a stupid fool. People don’t start out being liars. It happens over time in all sorts of ways. Maybe telling the truth gets you into trouble. Maybe telling the truth could hurt someone. Maybe telling the truth is too scary. Maybe telling a few lies digs a hole that you can’t get out of. Maybe it’s even a bit thrilling to lie and be secretive about stuff. The big question is how do we train ourselves to tell the truth lovingly? Sometimes the truth is tangled and complicated and it’s hard for even you to figure out exactly what it is. It can really help to write it out. Write a letter or a card or a note. Even if it’s just an invitation to have the conversation where a truth will occur, getting prepared and setting a deadline will help you get through it. This is especially true when it comes to feelings, which are truths of a very special nature. If you don’t tell the truth about your feelings, you can end up living a life that is half lived, filled with missed opportunities for happiness and growth. Second, learn to speak with words that are immersed in love. Just because you say it with love doesn’t mean someone won’t be angry, but again, you can only control your own truth. When the cloud of anger fades, at least someone might have truly heard what you meant to say. Truth works. So does kindness. Practice them both together.