Speak up! (Part 2)

Written by Titus Kitchen

Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome back to Tuesday Talks With Titus!

We will again be talking about speaking up but focusing more on how to talk with our friends and family who are struggling with mental illness. Today's verse is found in Proverbs 18:21 which says "The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit."

I'm quite sure most of you know that saying stuff like "Shame on you for not reading the Bible and praying, that's why this is happening!" etc. would be wrong. Well, today we are going to explore some other ways that aren't ok and when the best times are to listen. If we look at Job's friends in the book of Job we see his friends come to be there for him, to comfort him, and to love on him (that's what they did right), but once they started talking... things went downhill. Not just because they talked, things go downhill, but it was what they said.

The first friend said, "God is punishing you for doing evil!" Then, the second friend said basically the same thing. And last, the third said that if Job stops doing evil these bad things would stop by the next day!

In the beginning of Job's trials, they listened. At least they did something right! But then, they talked. Does this mean we should only listen? As I said in the last Tuesday Talks with Titus, sometimes all your friends need is someone to listen.

If you have advice, make sure it's

1. Not an accusation

2. Not blunt

3. Biblical!

Sometimes your friend needs you to tell them that you are there for them and that you will pray for them. Even saying I'm not sure why God is putting you through this but I know he has a plan! Putting people down by trying to find a reason why they are going through stuff is not the right way to go. You are not the one to judge how people got where they are. You are the one to help them by being there for them.
To wrap up, let me say this, listening is 9 times out of 10 better than talking. Thanks, everyone so much for reading and we will see you next time!