Proverbs 17

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
Proverbs 17:9 ESV

When we as women go through the deepest valleys in our relationships, we often want to share our experiences with friends in order to validate the experiences, or our own actions through them. However, we must remember, especially when those valleys come due to the sin or destruction of a stronghold in another’s life, it is not necessarily our place to showcase the experience to the world. Please don’t misread me; I am not saying do not get wise, Godly counsel for the hurts you are being subjected to by another’s bad choices. However, holding our tongue to the general population even in the midst of the very real hurts we feel, can allow a healing unlike anything we have ever known.

Many times I lay open the book of my life and let others peer in and see what God is doing. Yet, in the midst of one of the darkest times in my life, I only shared with two people what I was going through and, even then, only in a limited way. I had an overwhelming peace that this was truly the best and wisest choice at this time and in this situation. I spent many hours in prayer and Bible reading. Those two trusted, wise confidantes were falling at the feet of the Lord on my behalf; they did not need details to know that this was the best way that they could help. By keeping silent and covering an offense that others would have said I had a right to be angry about, I was able to preserve a relationship that is dear to me and able to know that God will supply all my needs.

May we trust Him to lead our words and revelations in order to build strong, healthy relationships.