Helping Someone You Love: Focus on What and How, Not Why - Living Free - March 1
Helping Someone You Love: Focus on What and How, Not Why
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4-5 NIV
Thoughts for Today
This week we have looked at some things to do when a loved one has a life-controlling problem. We can't fix our loved ones' problems, but we can help them by confronting them in love, helping them tear down their wall of defenses, brick by brick, until they are able to see themselves as they really are. Only then will they be able to move ahead toward recovery.
An important element of effective caring confrontation is to focus on what and how, not on why. The why question only serves to raise people's defenses and makes it more difficult to penetrate their state of delusion. Instead, talk about observable behaviors that can be described by such words as what, how, when or where.
Why may break the communication because it questions motive. Yes, their motives may be wrong, but their delusion can best be penetrated by presenting the facts in a non-threatening way.
Consider this . . .
Remember that God is with both you and your loved one. Ask him to show you what to do, to teach you wisdom, and to guide you in this journey. He loves you both and with him, all things are possible.
Prayer
Father, I ask you to show me your ways, teach me your paths, and guide me in your truth.
In Jesus' name . . .
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©Living Free 2020. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to info@LivingFree.org
