FROM THE DAWGHOUSE…
WHEN YOU HAVE TO TALK TO SOMEONE ABOUT A BIG ISSUE – WHAT DO YOU DO?
7 Prayers
My mantra about wisdom is: “A Proverb a day keeps stupidity away.”
So I was reading Proverbs 15 today on the 15th day of this month, AND I had this nagging issue I am going to have to talk over with someone, and it’s not going to be well received (I’m pretty sure). It’s been amazing to me for the past, 30+ years…literally…that an issue I have to deal with is addressed in the wisdom for the day.
So here is God’s counsel to me today and for you, if you have to have a difficult discussion with someone you care about, a co-worker, neighbor, a child, a fellow church member or…whoever.
Proverbs 15:2
2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
Proverbs 15:3
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.
Proverbs 15:5-6
5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
Proverbs 15:9-10
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
whoever hates reproof will die.
Proverbs 15:12
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.
Proverbs 15:14
14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
Proverbs 15:18
18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife,
but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
Proverbs 15:20
20 A wise son makes a glad father,
but a foolish man despises his mother.
Proverbs 15:22
22 Without counsel plans fail,
but with many advisers they succeed.
Proverbs 15:25-26
25 The Lord tears down the house of the proud
but maintains the widow’s boundaries.
26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
but gracious words are pure.
Proverbs 15:28-29
28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer,
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
Proverbs 15:31-33
31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.
32 Whoever ignores instruction despises himself,
but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
33 The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom,
and humility comes before honor.
When you have to talk to someone about a difficult issue it seems wise to me to pray 7 related prayers BEFORE and DURING your talk to/with them:
#1 Pray: Lord help me understand the issue that I feel I need to talk about with him/her and if I’m the right one to bring up the issue.
#2 Pray: Lord how shall I actually say it? How might it be received? Give me grace AND truth!
#3 Pray: Lord, prepare ____ for our conversation. Make him/her ready to hear what I have to say.
#4 Pray: Lord show me by Your Spirit the very best time to bring up this conversation; when and where. Help me be wise.
#5 Pray: Lord give me courage to say what needs to be said even though I risk harming the relationship in the short or long term.
#6 Pray: Lord I’m getting ready to talk to _____, give me grace, love and power now!
#7 Pray: Lord I’m talking and listening to responses right now, give me grace in this very moment! (Check out Nehemiah and Daniel who had to pray on the spot and in the moment.)
We should want to bring grace and peace and wisdom into other people’s lives. Sometimes we are the ones to do it!
But spend good time with the Wise One before you do!
Strength and Courage!
Pete
