One of the most challenging aspects of restoring my emotional wellbeing is having hard conversations. The last thing I want to do is cause someone else pain. These conversations almost always inflict some pain.
A good friend recently reminded me that I need to be kind to myself. She reminded me that I don’t have to hold in the hurt caused by others to protect them. She reminded me that boundaries are good and necessary.
I had just enough strength to make the call and have the hard conversation. I knew my words no matter how gentle, how grace filled would bring pain. I know the person on the other end of the call didn’t intend to hurt me. I shared my struggle asked for boundaries. It was incredibly hard, and it brought light into the darkness.
Choosing to use my voice, set boundaries, and ask that my needs be respected was restorative, freeing, and lightened my burden. God was in our midst. The door for further healing is open. My rubbery knees and fearful soul has found new strength.
3-4 Energize the limp hands,
strengthen the rubbery knees.
Tell fearful souls,
“Courage! Take heart!
God is here, right here,
on his way to put things right
And redress all wrongs.
He’s on his way! He’ll save you!” 5-7 Blind eyes will be opened,
deaf ears unstopped,
Lame men and women will leap like deer,
the voiceless break into song.
Springs of water will burst out in the wilderness,
streams flow in the desert.
Hot sands will become a cool oasis,
thirsty ground a splashing fountain.
Even lowly jackals will have water to drink,
and barren grasslands flourish richly.(Isaiah35:3-7 MSG).
Having a hard conversation is never the first choice. They can be transformative if we let them. I firmly believe that keeping our emotions suppressed, our knowledge in the dark brings in more darkness. It brings more pain for everyone involved. It took courage to make that call, and my heart is lighter knowing that everything is out in the open. It gives me strength for the next time.
How do you handle hard conversations? Are you willing to make the call? Do you hold in your emotions? Are you willing to take the risk and find healing? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.