Make sure you have people in your life who love you enough to tell you the truth.

In a correspondence between Johannes Kepler and Galileo Galilei, Galileo, responding to reading Kepler’s ‘Mysterium Cosmographicum’ (The Mystery of the Universe), shared his respect for Kepler’s findings.

Kepler, honored by Galileo’s words, nonetheless replied,

“Believe me, the sharpest criticism of one single understanding man means more to me than the thoughtless applause of the great masses.”

Translation: “As much as I value your approval, I value more your not hesitating to be honest should you ever see I may possibly be in error.”

The wisdom Kepler demonstrates here is profound, not to mention biblical.

Three millennia ago, Solomon wrote,

“The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Proverbs 27:6)

Solomon is saying, “An enemy tells you what you want to hear; but a friend will tell you what you need to hear.”

Paul asked the Galatians,

“Have I now become your enemy for telling you the truth?” (4:16)

Numerous times I’ve had a friend gently share with me something I didn’t necessarily want to hear. But, each time, their courageous love for me saved me from a world of hurt.

Make sure you have people in your life who love you enough to tell you the truth.

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