[:en]WOUNDS FROM A FRIEND
Charles Lowery complained to his friend about lower back pain. Instead of giving him advice on which doctor he should consult, he told him: “I don’t think your back pain is your problem; it is your stomach. Your stomach is so bing it’s pulling on your back”.
Instead of being offended, he tried to lose wieght and his back problem went away. Charles recognized that “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted” (Prov. 27:5-6)
Too often, we prefer praise than criticism. Truth hurts and bruises our ego. It makes us uncomfortrable and calls us for change. But true friends love us with loving courage to point out what we really need to hear. Jesus endured the wounds of our rejection to show us how much He loves us.
A true friend is one who can tell you the truth in love. – Poh Fang Chia[:]