“Tough Call”
August 11, 2017The dread of making the phone call overwhelmed any desire to have it checked off the “to-do” list. It was going to a difficult conversation even if the person on the other end was in a great mood. And yet the dialogue had to begin. As I waited for the “hello” to greet me, I was repeatedly and silently praying, “Lord, give me wisdom.” After a few rings, the answering machine picked up and I was off the hook- until I had to try again.
There are some of you that know that scenario well. Perhaps you’ve recently had to have that difficult conversation and the feelings of fear and trepidation are all too real. As I processed what was going on, I came up with a couple of action items to help take some of the edge off. I offer these to you as they helped me keep focus.
Make sure you’ve prayed about it. This should be our habit for anything we do (Philippians 4:6), but don’t enter into a tough conversation without prayer. Pray that you’d be clear in your words and that there wouldn’t be any problem in communicating your point. There is little worse than second guessing a conversation by thinking “If only I had said…”. Make sure that you have a main thought and keep close to it (Galatians 2:11-14). Skilled debaters can turn your point around and leave you questioning your own knowledge of the matter. Don’t shut out some constructive idea simply because it didn’t come from your mind. Be careful when judging others motives (Proverbs 20:5). You don’t know everything they have been through and probably don’t know how you’d react under the same circumstances. There will be times in your life when you have to initiate a difficult conversation. Let God’s Word provide wisdom and understanding for you. When you do, you’ll never regret it.
Pastor Dave
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