True Talk

In our current culture, most of our conversations are surface talk. This isn’t necessarily bad because there’s a time, a place and a person where talking deeper is appropriate. Understanding this is social awareness and when someone doesn’t have it, the awkwardness can be overwhelming. 

Surface talk is a part of our daily exchanges like at Starbucks, shopping, getting groceries and work. Knowing how to do this is important in the ebb and flow of our daily routines.

However, surface talk becomes a problem if it becomes the mode of how we operate all of the time.

This unfortunately is how too many people do life and when this happens, healing and growth are stunted. 

When we talk it out, we can get it out of our heart and move forward. There’s something about having true talk with a trusted person that is cathartic for our soul. This is because God made us this way and we need it in our lives.

Having a true friend, spouse, group leader, pastor, counselor, and accountability partner for true talk is a treasure we should value.

It’s my belief that God wants all of us to have someone in our lives we can have true talk with, as we move forward toward health and strength. 

Here’s three verses of what God says about true talk. 

“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”

James‬ ‭5‬:‭16‬

This is referencing being honest about a sin or struggle so healing can come. 

Notice, confessing to someone is linked to our healing. Only God can forgive sins, but confessing and having true talk is a part of being healed.

“Each time He said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.”

2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭9‬

In this verse Paul is saying through weakness God’s power rests on us. This is big when it comes to true talk. Most of the time we don’t share about a weakness in our lives because of pride and appearing strong. But in Jesus, this is the area God comes on us and helps heave more of Him. This is a challenge for us but it’s good for us. 

We serve God through our gifts and abilities. God serves us through our weaknesses. The question is, will we let Him in?

True talk is a way we let our guard down, open our heart and let God in. 

“A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭4‬:‭12‬

Standing alone can lead to defeat. Standing with someone leads to victory. How can someone stand with us if we haven’t had true talk with them? 

Opening our hearts in vulnerability lets people in to stand with us against the battle we’re facing. Furthermore this is how we win and overcome. There’s going to be a battle that will require us to have someone stand alongside us.

This starts with true talk.

Who do you have true talk with?

What do you need to say out loud that you haven’t yet?

I encourage you to move forward and have true talk. Lay down pride and get honest with yourself and someone you trust. Let God in by being real with someone else. The truth is, when we have true talk, it’s a way of letting God in our situation and change can begin.

So here’s two things to do in having true talk.

First, be honest with yourself.

The greatest lie we tell, is the one we tell ourselves. We must stop lying and begin telling the truth to the person in the mirror. 

This is where any change in our lives begins. Sadly, too many people never tell the truth and so they live a lie, believe a lie and are defeated by a lie.

But when we tell ourselves the truth we’re able to take the necessary steps of freedom and life change.

This is a massive step that determines so much in our lives. The question is, will we be courageous enough to tell ourselves the truth?

This takes courage because the truth can hurt. We have to face reality to realize where we are, so we can look to where we want to be. 

Are you telling yourself the truth?

Please move forward. God is has too many great things for you, to stay stuck lying yo yourself.

Second, choose to trust someone.

When it comes to true talk we must choose trust. We have to open up which is why having people in our lives that are trustworthy is vital.

We gain these people in our lives by being involved with what Jesus is doing. For example, we engage in groups and meet people like us. We serve on the dream team and give of ourselves. We choose to be involved in our church because we get out of it what we put in it.

So to have the right people in our lives we must be involved and invite them in.

It’s easy to isolate but it’s also costly. Too costly and the paycheck of isolation is too heavy to carry. Please don’t let distrust rob you of the true talk you need.

God has a different way for us and it starts with choosing to trust. 

Who in your life needs to follow in Jesus?

Move forward with care and begin to find who you can have true talk with. We all need this and we all must go through this to have healing.

It starts by opening your heart and having true talk.

God is with you every step of the way and the best is yet to come,

PD