Upon knowing the Truth, we may have the tendency to become self-righteous and condemning toward those who (we think) do not know and share this Truth. Some of us may have been correcting them harshly and accusingly rather than gently and lovingly.

Ganito rin ako lalo na no’ng umpisa. I thought I just wanted people around me, particularly my loved ones, to know the Truth that I now know and to experience the liberating joy and empowering hope that I was beginning to experience. I thought I just wanted people to know and accept God’s Saving Grace.

Timing, Approach, and Intention have to be right, good, and clear

Pero dahil hindi ako naging maingat sa approach at sa timing, at hindi ko rin siguro naiparating nang maayos ang intentions ko, I have unintentionally made others feel like they are being condemned or chastised. Imbes na mapalapit sila kay Lord, lalo pa yatang lumayo.

Then I learned what it means and how crucial it is to deliver the Truth in Love.

You can be Truthful while being Loving

Makinig pala muna bago tumalak; Umintindi pala muna bago mag suggest at mag advice; Pag-aralan muna ang sitwasyon bago subukang ayusin; alamin pala dapat muna ang buong storya bago magtuwid.

At ang pinakamahalaga sa lahat, magmahal muna… kasi kahit pa tama, maganda, at mabuti yung sinasabi ko, kung wala naman talaga akong pagmamahal o malasakit man lang do’n sa tao mismo, balewala rin.

Even if I am telling the Truth, if I am insensitive and rude, self-righteous and prideful, it’s like I am negating the Truth that I, myself am stating.

At dapat na simulan ko muna yung pagsasaayos ng sarili ko bago ako mangialam sa pagsasaayos ng iba.

And also, maganda rin pala na ibahagi ang paglalakbay para magkakasama at magkakasabay tayong lalago at lalakas… habang nagmamahal, because we could learn from, exhort, and encourage, each other with our walk with Jesus.