NearnessSample

Who likes being told off?

Answer: no one.

And yet, when I think back, I can count on one hand the times someone really called me out— and it actually stuck.

What made those moments different?

These people didn’t see me as a task to manage, a problem to fix, or a project to complete. They genuinely cared about my good. They saw something in me worth calling higher. And even though their words stung at first, they eventually sank in—and they changed me.

Can you think of a moment like that?
When someone gave you a hard word—not to tear you down, but to build you up? Be honest: it probably hurt at first. But over time, your heart softened, and you began to see the wisdom behind the wound.

That’s the power of what Proverbs 25:11–12 (MSG) is getting at:
“The right word at the right time is like a custom-made piece of jewelry, and a wise friend’s timely reprimand is like a gold ring slipped on your finger.”

In a world full of noise and hot takes, Proverbs reminds us that our words matter. Not just what we say—but how, when, and why we say it. And sometimes, the best thing you can hear isn’t what you want to hear—it’s what you need to hear.

For that to happen, we need:

• Humility to listen

• Wisdom to speak

• And a community that’s brave enough to tell the truth in love

Today, ponder this: What’s a difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding—one that, with God’s help, could actually lead to healing or growth?