Speak the Truth in Love

True health is all about balance. Speaking the truth in love is never easy, but always right. The issue is finding the balance. Too many people camp out on one of the two extremes. Many folks are so "honest and blunt" that they are not respected and hurt relationships. Others are so "loving" that they talk all around but never get to the issue. Make sure you seek to speak truth into your own life first and then you will be prepared to examine if you love people enough to do the hard thing and tell them the truth.  Make sure thought that the truth truly comes from a heart of love for their well being or they will not care about what you share. Know one cares what you know until they know that you care. Confrontation is always hard, and if you enjoy it you may need some therapy, but on the other hand do you truthfully love someone enough to do the hard thing?

Happy Isn't Always Healthy

Just because a person, church or organization is happy; that does not always mean that they are healthy. It really depends on what makes you happy. Many a person or group is content to simply go with the flow, go along to get along and simply sit around holding hands singing "Cumbaya" while ignoring bad choices, all the time telling themselves everything is  OK. While a healthy organization will be happy, do not assume because everyone in your group is content with the way things are that you have true health. Sitting around singing Cumbaya may feel good, but you better ask yourself if what you feel good about makes you healthy or simply happy.

You Have to Make Change, to Make Change

Anytime you are seeking to influence others to change you must make sure that you have earned relational 'change' with them first. As John Maxwell says, "you have to seek their heart before you seek their hand." Change is usually tough on folks, so it will often cost you emotional and relational change that you have or have not accumulated in order to have it to spend on the request for change. So how are you doing?  Are you asking folks to make a change in the organization when you have not accumulated sufficient relational change yet to ask?  Folks will obey if they have to, but they only follow when they really want to! It isn't the big thing that folks give up on you for, it is simply the last thing you didn't have enough relationship to cover.