Tuesday, September 22, 2026

Bible in a Year Reading Plan: Song of Songs 7-8 | 2 Timothy 1

Type, type, type....

…Delete, delete, delete.

Type, type, type….

…Delete, delete, delete. 

Someone just left an unhelpful comment on one of my Facebook posts. I have written three different (well-crafted, in my opinion) responses - and deleted all of them.

Not every comment requires a response.

Proverbs 19:11
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

Sure, some topics do need to be addressed. Growing up, I learned very young to bite my tongue and hold back complaints, frustrations, or preferences in order to avoid conflict. I thought I was being very mature and loving, controlling my temper to “keep the peace.” In reality, I was often tolerating behavior I shouldn’t have or holding back words God wanted me to share, protecting others’ peace while wrecking my own. Maybe some of you can relate.

However, as I started to learn how to be brave and “speak the truth,” I may have swung a little too far to the opposite side of the spectrum for a while - and forgotten the loving part. I imagine some of you can relate to that as well. And if not, you probably know how it feels to be on the receiving end of that mentality.

Our society is extremely divisive. On any given day, you may face a number of conflicts, frustrations, and disagreements. However, before addressing them, it’s important to take a moment and ask, “Does this require a confrontation?” 

Is the “truth” you’re about to share actually one they need to hear? Sometimes it is!

But sometimes, we just think it is because we’re making assumptions about their motives and character. Other times, it’s not really something the other person needs to hear - we just want to share it because we want to be right or feel heard. 

On the other hand, even if it’s a truth they do need to hear - perhaps addressing a recurring issue in the relationship, or a severely damaging mindset - are you able to speak that truth in love at that moment? Sometimes we need to just step back and cool down. 

Not every frustration needs a confrontation. Overlooking an offense isn't pretending it didn't happen. Sometimes it’s an opportunity to offer grace; other times, it’s an opportunity to check our own heart.

Questions:
Do you struggle to share truth with others, choosing to stay silent to keep the peace? Or are you more likely to speak out, even when you maybe shouldn’t?

Next Steps:
The next time you face conflict, ask yourself: Does this require a confrontation? Is this a truth the other person needs to hear, for their benefit? Am I able to share it with love in this moment?

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for not punishing us for every mistake we make, but instead, offering grace and guiding us in truth with love. Help us to reflect your grace to others. Give us wisdom and discernment to know when we should speak up and when we should overlook wrongs. May your will be done in us and through us. Amen.

Series Theme Verse:

Ephesians 4:15
Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 

Written by Payton Lechner, a regular contributor to the Daily Devotional.