For years, I had a friend tell me “Look, just because you’re skinny, doesn’t mean you’re healthy.”
And you know what? My friend was right.
I barely exercised and my diet needed some major tweaking. I could fool a lot of people, but I couldn’t fool my friend. This friend knew me well, knew my routine, and also knew a thing or two about health and fitness.
Constructive feedback isn’t easy to hear, but according to the man who got a download of wisdom straight from the creator of wisdom- it’s what we NEED to hear.
Throughout the book of Proverbs, Solomon stresses the value of being both the giver and the receiver of real, honest, raw truth.
Proverbs 15:31 “He who listens to a life giving rebuke will be at home among the wise.”
Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a friend can be trusted but an enemy multiplies kisses”
Proverbs 27:9 “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”
Proverbs 27:17 “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
This past month I celebrated a milestone birthday, the big 5-0!! Looking back on the past 5 decades of my life, the conversations which have helped me grow the most have also been the conversations that have stung the most.
Don’t get me wrong, no one loves an encouraging word more than me, BUT a hard conversation from a boss, a trusted friend or a caring family member, have often done more to help me move forward in life than a nice pat on the back.
Friends, I want to challenge you to have at least 3 people in your life who will “tell you like it is,” rather than simply telling you what your “itching ears want to hear.”
I love how Jennie Allen puts it. In her book, “Find Your People,” she says:
“The last thing you and I need are friends who do nothing more than co-sign on our stupidity. If I’m about to careen off a cliff and you choose to stand there cheering for me, we’ve got a problem. I don’t need acceptance when I’m being a fool; I need help. And so do you.” 🔥🔥🔥
Now that’s a drop the mic, let’s marinate on that for a while statement.
In fact, I feel like I might need to say it again.
“The last thing you and I need are friends who do nothing more than co-sign on our stupidity. If I’m about to careen off a cliff and you choose to stand there cheering for me, we’ve got a problem. I don’t need acceptance when I’m being a fool; I need help. And so do you.” 🔥🔥🔥
My fitness loving friend’s words might’ve sounded harsh, but it’s what I needed to hear. Because you know who else I couldn’t fool?
My doctor! My labs said it all. 🤦🏽♀️
“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)
~binu
