Let’s admit it.

Something in us shuts down a little when we’re around good friends that don’t agree with our beliefs. Maybe it’s politics. Maybe it’s religion. Maybe it’s something totally random. Whatever it is, it becomes much harder to talk about those things openly when we’re around people we know well and care about deeply

Why?

I think a lot of it has to do the with fact that we care so much about them. Because of that feeling, we’re afraid to hurt them or have any sort of disagreement with them. We don’t want a fight and we definitely don’t want to lose them in our lives.

It’s so much easier, on the flip-side, to go online and have a conversation about theology with a random Facebook user because we don’t know them. Think about it: it’s so easy for people to comment hurtful things on someone’s YouTube video, just because they know they’ll never have to own up to it in the future.

What if, though, we decided to be a little more open and vulnerable around those we loved? By not defending and speaking about the ideas we care about, it’s almost like we’re telling people we don’t believe those things (even when we do).

There have been so many times in my life when my friends have held an entirely different view than me on something, and I either agree with them or just don’t say anything. The whole time I know I should be speaking up, but that fear always holds me back.

Well, here’s me saying “no more" to that fear. Our beliefs can only be our beliefs if we’re willing to defend and support them whenever necessary.

They should be important enough to us that we’re prepared and ready to talk about them. They are never something that should be hidden in the back corners of our mind, never seeing the light of day. That’s just a plain injustice.

Plus, by speaking about what we believe in, that’s how we find the power to change people’s mindsets. Couple that with a little grace and humility in the way we say it, and I would say you’re at least going to gain a lot of respect, if nothing else.

Don’t let those thoughts and words sit in the dark for the rest of your life, speak them. Don’t be afraid to have honest, real conversations with those you love. Your beliefs deserve to be shown, and you deserve the chance to do it.