I've been part of a couple of tough conversations this week. It was not that these conversations didn't go well, but rather that they dealt with difficult and emotional issues. I was glad that these conversations took place in the context of church.

While tough conversations are not easy or enjoyable, it strikes me that church might be the best place to have them. When we come together as brothers and sisters in Christ we can share our challenges and struggles ~ and even disagree ~ while remaining tied together in love. I am reminded of Paul's words from 1 Corinthians 13:

⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵ It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶ Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷ It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸ Love never fails.

Have you had any tough conversations lately? What was the outcome? What did you hope the outcome would be? Sometimes the tough conversations help us to get to places of truth that we would never discover if we avoided talking about the tough-stuff. So let's keep talking about the tough stuff while never forgetting our commitment to love.