As a Christian, it can be difficult to know when to keep giving mercy to someone or when it
is time to confront lovingly. Our first response should be to give mercy and
extend grace because we don’t know what someone may be going through, however there
are times when you will need to speak to others about their continued undesirable behavior.
→These are some tips to use when you are wondering
if you should keep silent or speak up:
1. Is it an isolated incident?
In other words, occurring once or frequently.
2. Are your boundaries being violated?
We all need the right to privacy, respect and boundaries. Are the people you
are dealing with crossing lines repeatedly?
Crossing boundaries once or twice should be overlooked, but numerous boundary violations should be
addressed.
3. What is the frequency and the
duration of what you are
dealing with? Is it the same
people doing the same thing over and over again? We should overlook minor
infractions by others but when disrespectful behavior becomes chronic with the same people in your
life it is time to confront lovingly.
4. Have you addressed the person’s
discourteous behavior
before but it did not work, the person continued to be rude and disrespectful?
5.
Are
you feeling violated?
6. Are you being harmed in any way?
Physically, emotionally, or mentally?
If you answered mostly yes to the above questions, it
will be important to address issues with others lovingly. Sometimes God does step in and rescue us from situations that are
unbearable, and other times He is teaching us to rise up and do not fear man.
→When you have to get to the point of confronting
others lovingly there are some things to consider:
1. Be
firm and assertive, not aggressive.
2. Speak
calmly and rationally. Do not name call or belittle. Focus on the facts only.
3. As
difficult as it may be, do not concern yourself with what the other person
thinks of you. Remember, that you have the right to tell someone they are
violating your boundaries or causing harm to you.
4. Speak
truthfully. If you have been harmed by another person’s actions repeatedly, it
is okay to tell the other person.
There are times confronting lovingly goes better than
expected, and there are times that the person you have confronted continues in
their behavior. How many times should you
have to confront someone? Just once, but there are times that the other person
is oblivious to your pain. If you can get away or stay away from the source of
your contentions, do so. There are times though when we must stay and fight, and
there are times we must let go; seek God’s wisdom on what you should do.