Gooooood Morninnnnnnnnnnng,
Tough love is showing someone they are not in proper alignment with the Lord. I do believe the Word of God never returns to him void, so that being said, I do believe that in so doing, the Christian (acting on a directive from God) executes the often uncomfortable and unpopular occasion to express this warning to the transgressor.In one felt swoop (alleviating the messenger from feeling culpable) it is also an opportunity for the transgressor to receive liberation from their ignorance; if they are wise enough to head the warning. This is a subtle yet pertinent piece of the transaction; with love, gentleness & tenderness it is without sugar coating. This type of event is pre-ordained....its not something we do haphazardly, it's something that transpires from deep conviction and compassion for the person who knows not what is at stake. It's essentially like saying: Stop right there...A BUS is coming; except they don't see that LIFE CHOICE for the wreckage it will be.
More often than not, it is not readily received. Take this as a good sign, or as the expression goes....."Wait for it!". I still recall working for a man years ago, I was quite young at the time, He took a liking to me and put himself out there in the Lord, he photocopied Proverbs 31, handed it to me and said; "I want you to read this". I remember being, dare I say..."offended" at first. Here I am years later, saying Thank you Heavenly Father, Please bless that man, I don't know if He is even still alive but his genuine act of Love and obedience to the Lord sure did make a difference to me, although not immediately!
Even if no one ever promotes Him, God in our life is that still small voice, He whispers encouragement and gentle correction toward the path He knows is best for us. We must become attuned to this not by seeking external distractions but more by relaxing within our being enough to hear Him from within. When we are being disobedient and resisting Him that noise crowds out the still small voice. Being in the position of peace with God is an open doorway to that communication that is living inside of you, Jesus our Lord, who through the resurrection lives on in us.
1 Kings 19:11-12 11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: 12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. (KJV)
Psalm 46:10 Be still and Know I am God!
One of my favorite passages in scripture is Isaiah 30:21 Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."
Naturally, there comes to mind another expression; "Get right or get left"!
Do what you can to hear His voice, stay close, focus in. Find peace and calm, surrender to Him. Allow yourself to be redirected but resolve to take only God's detours...Not the worlds! He will always keep you safe and that bend in the road just may be the shortcut necessary to get you on track with the Lord!
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the dutiful souls that seek not their own, that suffer persecution and resistance for your name's sake. We lift them up this day for all the many times they went out of their way to deliver words of Life to those less fortunate, the spiritually poor. We ask that you unleash a supernatural blessing upon us, your children of Light; that we may so shine before men that they take notice. Thank you Lord, for sending many messengers into my life, for their grace in You was sufficient to break through my man made walls. Lord, build up courage in us that we may take Your message to those in need, with Love, obedience and boldness...In the name of Yehushua Jesus Christ our Lord, AMEN!
