WHAT YOU SAY AND WHEN YOU SAY IT

Saturday, October 11, 2008

If you are going to minister to someone you must pay close attention to the state they are in. The answer to the toughest questions, even if they are theologically correct, may actually be hurtful, if delivered at the wrong time. I learned this from Marjorie Suchocki by reading it in Darryl Tippens’ excellent book, Pilgrim Heart.

Suchocki emphasized that some answers are good only in the “daytime,” while others answers are good in the “night.” If a person is in profound pain, an argument that “explains” the suffering (a “daytime” answer) may do little good and potentially much harm.

We need to pray for guidance to say the right thing at the right time or we are going to do more harm than good.