“And I said to the king, “If it pleases the king, and if your servant has found favor in your sight, that you send me to Judah, to the city of my fathers’ graves, that I may rebuild it.”” (Nehemiah 2:5, ESV)
It was a difficult conversation. But it was a conversation Nehemiah needed to have. There was potential that the conversation would go bad. But if Nehemiah never asked he would never go, and nothing would change.
Nehemiah was bold to approach the king. He asks to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the city. From that moment everything would change. The king would grant Nehemiah’s request, and Nehemiah would be on his way.
I know I don’t like confrontation. There are times I would rather not say anything and hope it all goes away. But the truth of the matter is that it rarely goes away. Waiting to have that difficult conversation only makes the situation more complex and the conversation more difficult.
There is a saying that time heals all wounds. That is absolutely not true. Most of the time something needs to be said. Something needs to be done. Closing your eyes, not listening, and not speaking will not make it go away.
So don’t put off that conversation with your spouse, that co-worker, or your boss. Don’t wait for them to initiate. You take the initiative.
Reflection
- Do you have a difficult conversation you have been putting off?
- What are the reasons that we avoid confrontation and difficult conversations?
Prayer
Lord, I know you have called me a minister of reconciliation. But too often I am reluctant to have the difficult conversation. I am unwilling to initiate and take action where action needs to be taken. I ask for courage, strength, and wisdom to do what needs to be done even when it is hard. Amen.
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