Speaking the Truth in Love

July 30, 2022

Bible Readings

Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Memory Verse

Ephesians 4:15

Love should always make us tell the truth. Then we will grow in every way and be more like Christ. CEV)

written by Ron VandenBurg
illustrated by Chad Thompson

Zoom call between Sofia and Casey. Casey is in the kitchen with a tablet. She is concerned for her friend. Dad is in the background but coming over to the Zoom call. A pot with a lid on the stove is beginning to move, but it’s being ignored by all. The pot needs to be seen by the viewer clearly. Maybe start where we left off in the last comic with Dad having his arm around Casey’s shoulder and they both looking at the screen. There is concern and empathy on their faces as Sofia shares. The pot with the lid is important to see in each panel though.
Sofia: Aggghhhh! When my parents argue, it's more than I can take.
On-screen Sofia shows frustration. She looks like she’ll explode.

Sofia: I’m sad, afraid, embarrassed… I’m just ready to…
Dad and Casey looked concerned and focused on the screen. Sofia has strong emotions on screen. The pot is boiling over.

Dad’s pot boils over. Dad moves to deal with it. Dad: “Ahh, everything’s boiling over!”
Sofia: “Exactly!”
Casey turns to watch Dad.

Print Comic

Have you ever watched a pot of water boil on the stove? When the heat is turned up and the lid is on the pot, the water heats up and begins to boil. Sometimes it boils too long and the water bubbles over and makes a big mess. Or maybe you have blown up a balloon. You take a deep breath to fill your lungs with air and push it into the balloon. With each breath it grows bigger and bigger, sometimes so big that it pops!

Just like a pot boils over or a balloon fills with too much air, our feelings can build up inside of us so much that it feels like we are going to burst! Maybe we feel sad or afraid. Maybe even embarrassed. The great news is, that we never have to keep our feelings to ourselves.

In 1 Corinthians 13 we learned what it means to give and receive God’s love and how we are to show love to one another. We also learned that love “rejoices in the truth”.

Talking honestly about feelings with people that you love can relieve some of the pressure you're feeling. When you talk with your family and people you trust, they can hear you and remind you that you are loved. You can share with God what’s on your heart too. Whatever your feelings are, even the big ones, they are important and they matter. You do not need to be afraid to share them, because when you speak the truth in love, love can handle all things!

Prayer

Lord, give me the courage to speak the truth in love knowing that through Your grace, love can take away all my fears. Amen.

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Ginnette Yonkman

Ginnette Yonkman is a clinical counselor at Chicago Christian Counseling Center at their New Lenox and South Holland locations. She is passionate about serving individuals, couples, and families struggling with a variety of mental health issues. Ginnette received her bachelor’s degree from Trinity Christian College and master’s degree from Olivet Nazarene University.