A TIME FOR TOUGH LOVE?

Is there such a thing? Ironic, ambivalent, counter intuitive, sounding in “new psychology” foolishness, are we not to think of love as always forgiving, understanding, gentle?

Can understanding and gentleness be reconciled with the same word that describes prize fighters?

Yes. Toughness does not require doing harm to either body or mind of another. Toughness is standing the ground upon which you find truth. Toughness never yields to that which is false, to that which brings harm to anyone. Toughness is resolute in its vision of love and truth.

“Tough love”, is true love. It requires a commitment to do whatever it takes to protect and aid the beloved, even if that action seems to the beloved to be harsh and unloving. Tough requires standing your ground for what you see as right, and praying you are right. The willingness to stress yourself against apparent circumstances is required.

Tough Love is hard. It can bring temporary discomfort to both the lover and the beloved. It can cause self doubt, and much inner stress, in both principals. It requires courage and consistency. It requires constant attention to your circumstances, and the willingness to change your mind, words and actions if you discover unnecessary harm is being done or may be done.

Humility is the sister of courage.

Tough Love requires the humility to admit being wrong, and offering heart felt apology, but only when credible facts require it, and never due to yielding to pressure…