Please pray for grace and wisdom before discussing today’s thought.

“I can’t tell you the truth because if I do, you won’t love me.”

Recently, when I heard a man make this statement, I almost fell out of my chair. The fear in this statement is huge. “If I tell the truth (and let you see my level of failing you will withhold the very thing that is essential to my survival and) you won’t love me.”

Can’t you just hear a young boy who messed up, inwardly processing and saying, I can’t tell my parents about this. If I do, they won’t love me.

Next can you imagine a confused, teenage boy. He’s just made a poor choice. And his first thought is this. My parents would kill me if they knew. I can’t tell them.

Finally, after a husband makes a mistake, he whispers. I can’t tell my wife. She’ll be so upset. First, she’ll be upset, and then she’ll pull away from me. I can’t tell the truth.

“I can’t tell you the truth about my thoughts, feelings, and actions, because if I do, you won’t love me.”

Close

In this quote, fear of losing love is a major theme. We are made for love and to love. Love is the oxygen of our soul. It’s always best to be honest and tell the truth, and then hang on to God’s love as you face any consequences.

Prayer

Father, thank you for valuing truth and love. We need both. And can you also include some wisdom with that? We are yours and we need love, truth, and wisdom. Bless me today. Amen.

Bible

God is love, whoever lives in love lives in God and God in him. In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world, we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. -1 John 4:16-18 (NIV)

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. – John 8:32 (NIV)