Responding to hard issues

How do I, as a Christian, address hard issues that are often guaranteed to incite a negative response?

Am I speaking from a perspective of love? Does my love at least in some way resemble the love of Christ? Don’t answer too quickly, love led Him to the cross. Have I wept, not over the issue, but, over the lives adversely affected by it?

Am I addressing the joy that comes from being inside the will of a sovereign God? Does there seem to be a joy that is undeniably evident, especially to the audience I am targeting?

While truth confronts us and often requires change which can be painful, am I praying for peace and longing for relationship with each other and with the Father. Or am I trying to fight a fight, just for the fun of fighting.

Am I expecting immediate change or am I willing to exhibit patience? Knowing that Father has been very patient with, do I extend the same grace to others.
 
Are my words kind or hurtful? Again, truth can be painful, but am I using words or a tone that stings solely for the fun of making my point?

Am I communicating what is good? Sometimes, we may not want to hear what is good for it often comes with a price. Nonetheless, God defines what is good.

Am I being faithful in my role as a follower of God? Or am I being faithful to my religious fervor. There may very well be a difference. One requires me to act like Jesus and one allows me to act like a Pharisee?

Am I modeling the gentleness of Christ or am I forcefully making my point?

Am I acting as though I have self-control or do I sound like a raging lunatic?

Finally have I ignored the plank in my eye to attempt to remove the speck in someone else’s eye.