How many times have you confided in someone to find out later that they had shared your secret with others? Ouch....that really hurts and can be at times embarrassing or even humiliating. I've learned to be very careful about who I share my deepest thoughts and feelings with. Not everybody we know is looking out for our best interest. Some, because of their own insecurities and wounded hearts, will do things that hurt us.
However, we all need to have that person that we can confide in with the confidence that she will love us, but at the same time speak truth to us. I am so thankful for friends who do this for me...it's called "accountability." I admit I don't always like what they tell me, but because they are women of God who I know without a doubt love me and want the best for me, I am willing to listen.
Being that person for someone else is very humbling to me. I feel honored when a sweet woman comes to me with her heart and shares personal feelings, failures and fears with me. I have committed to the Lord to listen, love and gently give them His word. Not my opinion, my feelings or my thoughts - those things are irrelevant in the Kingdom of God. In fact, if my motives or attitude aren't right when I speak to others, I can do more harm than good, even when speaking the Word of God.
We tend to get a little full of ourselves at times. Thinking we are a little better than others because we have checked off all the "Do Goods" on our spiritual checklist and marked through the "Don't Dos" on it. Serving God isn't about that. It's about serving people with love, regardless of what they are doing. It's not my job to condemn or judge them, it's my honor to serve and love them, being Jesus in the flesh.
Let's not be so quick to point out other women's sins just because they don't hide them as well as we do...and when we find out their secrets, let's honor God by keeping them between Him and ourselves.
However, we all need to have that person that we can confide in with the confidence that she will love us, but at the same time speak truth to us. I am so thankful for friends who do this for me...it's called "accountability." I admit I don't always like what they tell me, but because they are women of God who I know without a doubt love me and want the best for me, I am willing to listen.
Being that person for someone else is very humbling to me. I feel honored when a sweet woman comes to me with her heart and shares personal feelings, failures and fears with me. I have committed to the Lord to listen, love and gently give them His word. Not my opinion, my feelings or my thoughts - those things are irrelevant in the Kingdom of God. In fact, if my motives or attitude aren't right when I speak to others, I can do more harm than good, even when speaking the Word of God.
We tend to get a little full of ourselves at times. Thinking we are a little better than others because we have checked off all the "Do Goods" on our spiritual checklist and marked through the "Don't Dos" on it. Serving God isn't about that. It's about serving people with love, regardless of what they are doing. It's not my job to condemn or judge them, it's my honor to serve and love them, being Jesus in the flesh.
Let's not be so quick to point out other women's sins just because they don't hide them as well as we do...and when we find out their secrets, let's honor God by keeping them between Him and ourselves.