47 | Speaking Truth with Love: The Art of Faith-Filled Self-Expression

Have you ever struggled to speak your truth while maintaining love at the heart of your interactions? This soul-stirring episode tackles the challenging yet transformative journey of authentic self-expression through a faith lens.

Today I finally got up the nerve to share my personal story of being called to ministry while wrestling with feelings of inadequacy as a woman... LOL. Like Moses before the burning bush, I questioned my suitability based on societal expectations. Through scriptural study and divine guidance, I discovered that God's call transcends human limitations, drawing wisdom from biblical women like Deborah, Esther, and Priscilla who were pivotal in God's plan.

Drawing from Jesus' arrest in Gethsemane (John 18:1-11), we explore three essential components for speaking truth with love that can revolutionize your interactions: emotional expression, assertiveness, and independence. When Jesus boldly declared "I Am He" to his arresters while remaining surrendered to the Father's will, he modeled perfect truth-speaking. His example teaches us that expressing emotions honestly, standing firm in convictions, and embracing our authentic identity in Christ creates space for powerful, loving communication.

This episode offers more than theoretical concepts—it provides practical application through a weekly challenge to practice truth-speaking in your own life. By journaling your experience, you'll deepen your understanding of how God works through authentic expression. Whether you're navigating workplace challenges, relationship dynamics, or ministry callings, these principles will equip you to honor both truth and love in every conversation.

Ready to transform your self-expression and discover the freedom that comes from speaking truth with love? For a limited time, you're invited to book your complimentary 45-minute Aroma Freedom session via the link in the show notes. Start your journey toward authentic, Christ-centered communication today.

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to Speaking Truth with Love
• 1:51 Paula's Personal Ministry Calling Journey
• 3:02 Women in Biblical Leadership
• 4:15 Jesus in Gethsemane: Truth with Love
• 4:58 Three Essentials: Emotional Expression, Assertiveness, Independence
• 7:23 Recap
• 8:35 Weekly Challenge and Reflection Exercise

Transcript

Paula Behrens: 0:00

Are you ready to dive into a topic that can transform your life? Ever wondered how to speak your truth while keeping love at the forefront? Do you struggle with expressing yourself in a way that aligns with your faith? Join us on our latest episode, speaking Truth with Love, where we'll explore the empowering journey of self-expression through the lens of faith. You won't want to miss this heartfelt discussion.

Paula Behrens: 0:25

Hey sister, welcome to my podcast, Living on Purpose in Christ. I'm Paula Behrens, a follower of Jesus, grandmother of six, retired pastor and your guide to discovering life's abundant blessings through faith, feelings and healthy living. Together, we'll embark on a meaningful exploration of how to intertwine spirituality and everyday life. Imagine being part of a community where your faith flourishes each day. Join my Faith Building Club to access exclusive printable resources designed to enrich your spiritual journey through powerful practices like prayer and journaling. And to kickstart your journey, I'm offering you a free 45-minute Aroma Freedom online session with me. Are you ready to receive God's peace and joy and let go of stress through this amazingly simple yet powerful technique? Schedule your first coaching session at no cost and discover how simple shifts can yield profound changes in your life. So check the show notes for all the links and let's partner with God together. Grab your Bible, dust off your journal and cozy up to your favorite beverage right now and let's dive in.

Paula Behrens: 1:37

Hi, I'm Paula, your host, and today we're going to explore a topic that is both challenging and empowering Self-expression, speaking truth with love. But first let me share a story with you about my own journey. Imagine being called to a purpose so grand, yet feeling utterly unqualified. That's how I felt when God first called me into the ministry. It was a moment filled with awe, but also with hesitation. Can you imagine standing before God, feeling the weight of his call, yet arguing back like Moses? God can't you see that I'm a woman? Are you sure you want me to serve as a pastor in the church? Well, that was me standing at the crossroads of faith and fear, wrestling with the call on my life. But as I delved deeper into the scriptures and sought God's guidance, I realized that his call was not about my perceived limitations, but about his unlimited power.

Paula Behrens: 2:36

When God first called me into the ministry, I felt an overwhelming sense of well inadequacy. Like Moses, I argued with God a lot, questioning my suitability based on social norms and expectations. God, can't you see that I'm a woman? I asked several times, fully aware of the traditional rules often assigned within the church, but God's message to me was unmistakable and firm. He brought to mind the numerous women in the Bible who were integral to His divine plan, such as Deborah, Esther, Mary and others. He taught me about the Apostle Paul's support of women in the ministry, like Priscilla, a leader in the church, and Junia, who was prominent among the apostles. God guided me to a Christian university where I was fortunate to meet a wonderfully supportive Greek professor who helped me explore the biblical text relevant to my calling, in depth and in the original language of the New Testament. He helped me to dive deep into the Greek word, commonly translated into the English as silence" and showed me how its true meaning is to have the peace of God in one's heart through the indwelling Holy Spirit. It was then that I realized that God's call is not bound by human constructs but by His, God's, divine purpose. This journey of accepting my call was not easy. It required me to embrace my identity in Christ, to step out of my comfort zone and to speak truth with love. And that, my dear friend, is what we're going to explore today.

Paula Behrens: 4:15

Our focus is on self-expression, speaking truth with love, drawing from the poignant scene of Jesus' arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, as recorded in John 18, verses 1-11. In this passage, we see Jesus exemplify what it means to speak truth with love, even in the face of betrayal and impending suffering. He confronts the crowd that comes to arrest him with a question Whom do you seek? And when they respond Jesus of Nazareth he boldly declares I Am He. Yet in his assertiveness there is an underlying tone of love and surrender to his father's will.

Paula Behrens: 4:57

From this scripture we'll unpack three things essential for speaking truth with love Emotional expression, assertiveness and independence. Emotional expression is about being in touch with our feelings and allowing ourselves to articulate them in a way that is authentic and true. In John 18, we see Jesus express his emotions openly. When Peter draws his sword to defend him, Jesus responds put away your sword into its sheath. Shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me? Here, Jesus demonstrates his passionate surrender to the Father's will, illustrating how expressing emotions can be a powerful tool in our testimony for God. As women, we often feel the pressure to suppress our emotions, but God created us with the capacity to feel deeply. When we give voice to what stirs within, we honor the God who created us and invite others into a deeper understanding of his love.

Paula Behrens: 6:03

Second, assertiveness a bold yet loving voice for truth. Now, this is about standing firm in our convictions and speaking truth even when it's difficult. Jesus' response to the crowd I Am He is a powerful example of assertiveness. He knew the truth of his identity and was willing to declare it boldly yet lovingly. For us, assertiveness means being unafraid to speak up for what is right and just, whether it's advocating for ourselves or for others. It's about embodying the love of Christ in our interactions, even when it's challenging.

Paula Behrens: 6:39

Third independence the courage to stand as yourself. Independence is about finding the courage to be ourselves, unapologetically and authentically. In the garden, Jesus stands alone before his accusers, yet he is never truly alone because he is one with the Father. This independence is not about isolation, but about standing firm in our identity as followers of Jesus. As women, embracing our independence means walking in the confidence that comes from knowing who we are in Christ. It's about shedding the expectations and pressures of the world and embracing the unique calling God has placed on our lives.

Paula Behrens: 7:23

Let's do a recap. When we look at the arrest of Jesus, as found in the biblical text, we are invited to explore what it means to speak truth with love, as Jesus did, with emotional expression, assertiveness and independence. Jesus exemplifies emotional expression by openly surrendering to God's will, encouraging us to voice what stirs within our hearts without fear of judgment. His bold declaration I am He, showcases assertiveness, inspiring us to stand firm in our convictions and speak truth lovingly. Finally, his independence, rooted in unity with the Father, teaches us to embrace our identity in Christ with courage and authenticity. As women of faith, we are called to lean on our spiritual gifts by being vulnerable and expressing our feelings, boldly advocating for truth, and confidently standing in our God-given identity, honoring the unique path God has laid out for each of us.

Paula Behrens: 8:35

Okay, so this week I challenge you to practice speaking truth with love in one area of your life. Whether it's addressing a difficult situation at work, or standing up for someone who is being mistreated, or simply expressing your feelings to a loved one, take the step to give voice to what stirs within you. Your homework is to journal about your experience. Write down what you said, how it felt and what you learned about yourself and God through the process. This simple act of reflection can help you grow in your faith walk with Jesus and deepen your understanding of how to speak truth with love.

Paula Behrens: 9:14

Remember, you are not alone in this journey. God has called you to be a bold and loving voice for truth, and he will equip you with everything you need to fulfill that call. Thank you for joining me today. I hope you've been inspired and encouraged to embrace your call to speak truth with love and don't miss out. To kickstart your journey, I'm offering you a free 45-minute Aroma Freedom online session with me. Are you ready to receive God's peace and joy and let go of stress through this amazingly simple yet powerful technique? Schedule your first coaching session at no cost and discover how simple shifts can yield profound changes in your life. So check the show notes for all the links and let's partner with God together. Until next time, may you walk boldly in the love and truth of Christ.