Tough love

Understanding all avenues of kindness comes at the cost of expanding the mind outside the borders of what we normally consider kindness to be, in its simplistic state. The general concept of kindness is to be polite and thoughtful of others feelings and privacy. But, there is a side of kindness that we all know about while suppressing our ability to accept it, and it’s being cruel to be kind, in the right manner of course. Being an intervener in the well being of others is a tricky situation that requires courage first and strategy second. A great Biblical example of this is when Nathan went to tell king David that he had lost himself in his sin with Bathsheba, in 2 Samuel chapter 12 (take a moment to read it!). Now, king David’s account is on the extreme end, but dealing with a sinning person in our life can be as simple as them eating far too much, and needing tough love to snap them out of what they are hypnotized by, and can’t see what they are doing to their self. Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. ¿The formula given here to straighten each other out in our inability to see the recklessness we are engaged in, is not about being judgmental, but all about throwing a rope to someone who is sinking in quick sand, while being extremely cautious to not fall into the pit with them, because you weren’t prepared to rescue them in your present condition. Here’s an example; your brother has become a drunkard and you are a recovered alcoholic. You go over to his house to talk to him about it and he manipulates you into having a drink with him. Then, you begin drinking again, because you now remember how much you loved drinking. Make sense?? And, this goes for gossiping, money loving, laziness, lusting after anything, and on and on! Not just things that our society deems unrighteous, but what God says is unfitting for us as His children. In the tug of war we place on each other judgmentally, our pride is what destroys us, always and forever! King David was a man after God’s own heart because he would humble himself, even as the King that he was, and allow himself to be constructively criticized with the open mind it takes to simply grab a rope that someone is throwing to pull you out of danger. Tough love is hated, but undeniably needed at times, and only appreciated after coming out of the coma that we can’t wake ourselves up from. Father, I pray for humility and open mindedness to Your tough love, delivered through those you send with the message. In Christ’s name, Amen