When And How To Tell The Truth

Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him all the more. He said to them, “Listen to this dream I had: We were binding sheaves of grain out in the field when suddenly my sheaf rose and stood upright, while your sheaves gathered around mine and bowed down to it.”  His brothers said to him, “Do you intend to reign over us? Will you actually rule us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dream and what he had said. - Genesis 37:5-8

In these verses Joseph didn't help his cause in his relationship with his brothers. Tension already existed because their father chose Joseph as the favorite. Then Joseph stumbles into this mess. It's amazing to have a dream from God - and Joseph is right to value that highly and not just keep it to himself. However, there's a time and place for everything!

Emily Dickinson wrote, "Tell all the truth but tell it slant" (thank you Pastor Kristy for sharing that with us on Sunday!). There's a way to tell the truth that takes into account other people. It's called "being gentle" and "being wise" and "being gracious." Too often we either don't tell the truth or we tell it so directly that we unnecessarily offend people. Regardless of whether we tend in our speech towards silence or violence, we hurt others.

So today, take some time to ponder what God is saying to you. Where have you not told the truth, or where have you told it poorly? Talk to Jesus about those things and ask him for the grace and strength to turn towards a healthier way of communicating.