I recently called a friend to update her on something I was going through. She listened, but she also asked if I had considered some other things about the situation. Honestly, in the moment her advice stung a little, but later I was able to appreciate how valuable it was. Because she was outside the situation, she had a different view and could see things I did not.

Even when we have similar views to our friends or family, our perspectives won’t always be 100% same. Our different life experiences shape us and the way we see things. We need the perspective and wisdom of other people in our lives, especially those who know the Lord.

Do you have people like that in your life? Do you have someone who loves you and can point out your blind spots?

It may not be pleasant when that happens, but it’s helpful because our loved ones can see things from a vantage point we can’t. And vice versa, we can see things they may not see.

Proverbs 26:7 NIV says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”

In plain terms, this verse means that we can trust our friends to tell us the truth, even if what they say stings and doesn’t feel good in the moment.

The second part of this verse means that an enemy (someone not truly concerned with our well-being) is willing to appease us and tell us what we want to hear. Our true friends who love us will tell us what we need to hear. There’s a difference.

We need the perspective of our friends, even when it stings. We need to share our perspective with our friends by speaking the truth in love when necessary. It’s not always easy, but it can bring healing and growth.

Is there someone you need to ask to speak truth into your life? Is there someone you need to have a hard conversation with by sharing truth? Pray about it and ask God to give you the words to speak it in love.