3 Tips for Better Relationshipsਨਮੂਨਾ

I Probably Shouldn’t Have Said That

Ever walked away from a conversation thinking, That’s not what I meant at all? You’re definitely not alone.

Communication is tricky. We want to be honest, but we also don’t want to hurt or push people away. The good news? Jesus shows us how to speak with both clarity and kindness.

Jesus never avoided hard conversations. He confronted issues head-on, but He always spoke with love. He encouraged people to talk directly to each other when there was a problem—not to gossip, vent, or stay silent in frustration.

Paul, a biblical author, expands on Jesus’ example in Ephesians 4:15, reminding us to “speak the truth in love.” Truth without love is harsh. Love without truth is unclear. But when we combine them, we discover healthy communication.

Relationship Tip 2: Communicate with both truth and love to create clarity and connection.

So, how do we communicate clearly without being critical? It depends on your communication style.

If you’re the kind of person who regularly thinks, “I probably shouldn’t have said that,” then it starts with checking your heart. Are you speaking to fix, judge, or control? Or are you speaking to understand, build up, and strengthen the relationship?

But if you’re the kind of person who’s more prone to think, “I probably should have said something,” then it starts with checking your priorities. Are you trying to maintain short-term peace at the expense of long-term health? Or are you trying to support the growth of the people you love?

Speaking with clarity and kindness can still cause conflict, but it’s the healthy, needed conflict that relationships need to grow. Avoid being a steamroller or a pushover. Instead, communicate with compassion and boldness.

Pray: God, help me to speak with wisdom and love. When I’m frustrated, give me patience. When I need to be honest, give me the right words. Let my words build up instead of tear down. Please remind me that my goal isn’t to win a conversation, but to reflect Your love in the way I communicate. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Challenge: Before a conversation today, take a deep breath and pray for wisdom and humility. Choose one way to speak with both truth and love—whether it’s softening your tone, focusing on understanding, or simply listening before you respond. For help growing in humility, check out these example prayers on Finds.