Some Observation on ‘Tact’.

Tact is not a subject many of us pay attention to. We all think we are all right with it, but are we. I know when I am busy I want things communicated and done, tact takes second place, but that is maybe because I do not understand it. Consider:

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

Did you hear about the husband who was totally clueless? The day his wife left on a business trip their dog died. That night she called home and he blurted out, 'Your dog's dead!' Scolding him for being insensitive she said, 'You should've broken it to me gently. You could have said, ‘the dog's on the roof.' Then next day added, 'He fell off.' The following day you could've said, 'He's at the vet.' And the day after that you could have told me he died.' While her husband paused to consider this she asked, 'By the way, how's my mother?' Cautiously he replied, 'Well dear. . .she's on the roof!'

One dictionary definition of tact is: skill in situations where people's feelings need to be considered. An intuitive sense of what's right or appropriate. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, tact is not about being deceptive or insincere. It's about being considerate and not hurting others unnecessarily.

Chuck Swindoll writes: 'I used to sell shoes years ago, [and] a seasoned employee told me never to say, 'Lady, your foot's too big for this shoe!' Instead you should say, 'I'm sorry, ma'am, but this shoe's just a little too small for your foot.' Both expressed the facts, but one was an insult, the other a tactful compliment. So, in sensitive situations engage your brain before opening your mouth. Remember,

Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words speaks like the piercing of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Or as a US advertising jingle for a popular antiseptic ointment goes, 'Stop the hurting and start the healing.' Make that your goal today.

These last few weeks I have been trying my best to implement it as much as I can, and do find it difficult; by somehow I think I will always remember it. I hope so, because tack was never a quality of mine. Maybe now I understand it more.

Do you want to change?

Everybody wants certain part of their lives to be different. Many have said, “I want to change, but I can’t”. I honestly believe that these people are very serious in saying that, and have tried very hard. I am sure there are areas in your life where you have wanted to change but cannot; there are certainly plenty in mine. Conside:

'...AS THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD WORKS WITHIN US, WE BECOME MORE AND MORE LIKE HIM.' 2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 TLB

Did you hear about the frog that fell into a big hole and couldn't get out? Several of his friends tried to help but finally gave up. 'Since you're going to be in there for a while' they said, 'we'll go and get some food.' But no sooner had they left than the frog came hopping up behind them. 'We thought you couldn't get out’ they exclaimed. 'Oh, I couldn't,' he replied, 'but suddenly there was a big truck coming right at me - and I discovered I could.'

Usually it's only when we're forced to change that we discover we can. That's because we're more comfortable with old problems than new and untried solutions. If you believe nothing can ever be done for the first time, you'll never see anything done-and nothing will change.

There are three times in our lives when we're most receptive to change:
1. When our pain levels get so high we're forced to
2. When we accept the fact that what we're doing no longer works
3. When we realise that by God's grace we can change.

Nothing sparks the fires of faith more than the sudden realisation that 'I don't have to stay this way anymore.' And you don't! Stand on these two Scriptures:

Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. Or ...God'[s]. .gracious Word can make you into what He wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need...' (Acts 20:32 TM). '...

2Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. Or, as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like Him' (2 Corinthians 3:18 TLB).

So, do you want to change? I know it is easier said than done, but don’t give up, or let go, because you will eventually. More will be given in this topic later.