You’re going to have to tell people things they don’t want to hear.

Maybe they did something to offend or hurt you, or perhaps you’ve noticed something in their life that is out of whack and needs addressing.

Whatever the reason, your love, and care for others will require you to have hard conversations.

How you go about doing so is paramount.

One of the best sets of questions comes from Scott Kedersha who will ask, “Can I share something with you?” or “Can I give you some feedback on some things I have seen in you?”

That’s exactly how you approach a difficult conversation.

Conversations go smoother when you lead by asking permission to share hard things.

Sadly, people more often choose the opposite approach.

Be different and stand out from the crowd.

Care and love enough not only to have the hard conversation but to do so with a soft and gentle touch.

‘You catch more flies with honey’ as they say.

You’re given a choice each time you’re hurt.

You could return fire and respond in kind. Or you could let it go and move on.

Be wary of the path you choose.

In selecting your response, you decide the person you’ll become.

There are few, if any, neutral decisions. Each one helps form the picture of who you are today, and who you’ll be down the road.

It may feel good to dish sarcasm, wit and venom upon your foes, but at what cost?

A victory pursued, or even attained, in the wrong way is a hollow one. In fact, it’s not a victory at all. It’s a loss. In becoming like your enemy to beat your enemy, you become the thing you hated in the first place. Becoming evil to beat evil allows evil to win.

You’re not called to take the path that feels good. You’re called to take the path of righteousness. The path that leads to kindness, gentleness, and character.

Choose the right path regardless how difficult or hard it is. Stay out of the mud.

Do it enough and you’ll become the man or woman you hoped to be. And that will make all the mud slung your way worth it, even if no one else can tell.