Saying Things We Shouldn't

There are many times when we say things we shouldn’t—sarcastic remarks, political opinions, judgments about others. I can safely say we have all been guilty of one or more of these scenarios at some point.

These behaviors are a waste of time and energy; in fact, I would argue that they only create serious tension. We don’t seem to have a problem expressing our minds or our hearts when it comes to superficial issues, but we often ignore the real, painful conversations that need to happen.

The problem we face as a culture today is that we are not having the hard conversations we should be having. These are the conversations that can restore relationships and help people in desperate need. Why do we go days, weeks, months, or even years without talking to a loved one because we got our feelings hurt?

Often, it’s because we don’t know what to say. Other times, too much time has passed, and it feels awkward. Sometimes, we are so hurt that we isolate ourselves, withdraw, or avoid the situation entirely.

When we fail to deal with and process difficult situations, we unknowingly carry heavy emotional baggage filled with tension, which can affect our everyday conversations and relationships. We need to put aside the pettiness and have those hard conversations. Who knows? It might just repair decades-long relationships that have been hurt.

Psalms 37:8-9

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.