Sometimes, delivering the hard message is done at great personal sacrifice. Paul’s first Letter to the Corinthians was very pointed and very difficult. While it was clear that the message was delivered in love, the hard facts caused great pain. It caused enough pain that the churched fine-tuned and turned itself around. Paul was given the report by Titus, one of His mission friends. Paul learned that the Church had listened and tightened up on the issues that were a problem. Paul also learned that the Corinthians treated Titus well and still thought a great deal of the mission team.
Still, Paul did transparently lay his heart out for the church. He hated that his letter caused pain. We never want to cause pain to those we love. The pain was an important part of the church’s growth, so, while Paul hated it, he did not regret it. He wanted this community of believers to be the best they could be so that their influence would continue to build and reach throughout the Roman empire.
We are all faced with opportunities to encourage those we love to be the best they can be. Some of the messages are hard. Their deliverance often comes at great risk of damaging relationships or discouraging further growth. Still, in love, we put our personal fears aside and deliver loving messages of truth. When we do, the receivers of the messages must then make their own choices. Those choices, however, are informed choices backed by those who truly love them.
There is often no easy answer or delivery method. The steps should be to pray first and often. Show love first and speak truth next. Finally, we must trust that the Holy Spirit will use our truth to build the believers up and make them more like Christ.
God Bless You
Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one. 3 I do not say this to condemn you; I have said before that you have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you. 4 I have spoken to you with great frankness; I take great pride in you. I am greatly encouraged; in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.
5 For when we came into Macedonia, we had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. 6 But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming but also by the comfort you had given him. He told us about your longing for me, your deep sorrow, your ardent concern for me, so that my joy was greater than ever.
8 Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while— 9 yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. 10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Walking With God 