A little over twenty years ago, I sat on my bed sobbing. My young mind was convinced that I would never be happy again. My friends allowed me to sulk for a little while, but after a few weeks, one friend in particular had enough of me and my sad self.

“Binu, That’s enough. It’s time to move on.”

I’m not going to lie and tell you I enjoyed our talk….I didn’t.  I was getting quite comfortable with my sad self. But I listened because I knew my friend had my best interest in mind and she was speaking to me out of a heart of love….a tough, it’s time to get over it, kind of love.

It was exactly what I needed to hear.

In 2 Samuel 19, Joab’s words to David were also bold, timely and tough.  David’s son Absalom had led a revolt against David. War broke out and Absalom suffered the consequences of what he himself had started…He was killed and battle.  As a father, David was left grief stricken, but as a king, Joab knew for the sake of the kingdom, he had grieved long enough.  David had to move on. In Verse 7 Joab tells David, “Now go out and encourage your men. I swear by the Lord that if you don’t go out, not a man will be left with you by nightfall.”

It was exactly what David needed to hear.  

Sometimes God speaks through a burning bush and sometimes He speaks through a still small voice…but sometimes He speaks through the voice of a friend who loves you enough to correct you.

Correction is a hard pill to swallow, but if we take the time to listen and prayerfully discern what has been said, it can change the trajectory of our lives for the better. I know it did mine.

It’s been over twenty years since my friend and I had that hard conversation, but even now, when I get into an emotional funk, I can still hear her voice ringing in my ears, “Binu, that’s enough. It’s time to move on.”  

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern].” (Proverbs 27:6a)

-Binu

Photo Credit: Painting by Gia George (her rendition of John Fernandez’s artwork)