²⁹ Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29 ESV)

Probably one of the hardest things to get right when we seek to build others up is saying the right thing at the right time. Far too often we throw out a stream of consciousness that may not always be right for the time or the situation. People want their opinions heard and we may not always need to provide input. Loving others is just as often a silent act.

I think this can be especially true when someone is dealing with grief or a sickness. We do not necessarily know what to say, and often it requires nothing more than a coming alongside the person to be with them in their time of difficulty. The occasion may not need the seeming lubrication of our words. Silence speaks our compassion far better.

And when the occasion calls for it and we feel the need to stand up for a faith based topic, we must choose our words carefully. We must seek to understand and stand firmly upon scriptural truth in love and with a desire for reconciliation, not conflict. When people do not want to hear the truth it must be spoken softly but firmly.

The occasion may be the hardest thing for us to read when it comes to how we respond.