--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We often fear being honest because it was…" description: "\"“We often fear being honest because it was not safe to express honesty in our earthly relationships. With Job we fear both abandonment and retaliation...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/henry-cloud-1322_honesty_we-often-fear-being-honest-because-it-wa_873763.png" --- # We often fear being honest because it was not safe to… ![“We often fear being honest because it was not safe to express honesty in our earthly relationships. With Job we fear both abandonment and retaliation. People abandoned us or attacked us when we told them how we really felt. Rest assured, however, that God desires truth in our “inner parts” (Ps…” quote by Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/henry-cloud-1322_honesty_we-often-fear-being-honest-because-it-wa_873763.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/henry-cloud-1322_honesty_we-often-fear-being-honest-because-it-wa_873763.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3ee/henry-cloud-1322_honesty_we-often-fear-being-honest-because-it-wa_873763.png) > ““We often fear being honest because it was not safe to express honesty in our earthly relationships. With Job we fear both abandonment and retaliation. People abandoned us or attacked us when we told them how we really felt. Rest assured, however, that God desires truth in our “inner parts” (Ps. 51:6). He is seeking people who will have a real relationship with him (John 4:23–24). He wants to hear it all, no matter how bad it seems to us. When we own what is within our boundaries, when we bring it into the light, God can transform it with his love.”” [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Honesty can feel unsafe, but revealing truth invites divine transformation and deeper relationships. **In simple terms:** Being honest invites growth. Key Takeaway Share truth with love and courage. Themes honesty faith transformation relationships vulnerability Mood reflective hopeful Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - personal counseling - church teaching - support groups - conflict resolution Key Concepts theology psychology spiritual growth Questions to Reflect On - What truth are you holding back? - How can you safely express it? A Different Perspective Fear of retaliation may silence truth. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Express Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/express-honesty-980092/) [Fear Honest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear-honest-980090/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Honesty Earthly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty-earthly-980091/) [Real relationship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-relationship/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) [Truth Inner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth-inner-980093/) ## Related quotes > [It is not the crook in modern business that we fear, but the honest man who doesn't know what he is doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/owen-d-young/it-is-not-the-crook-in-modern-business-that-we-fear-but-the-honest/) [Owen D. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/owen-d-young/) > [“When I got to the street, I walked boldly. But I was always accompanied by an agonizing thought: the fear that honest people may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-genet/when-i-got-to-the-street-i-walked-boldly-but-i-was-always-accompanied/) [Jean Genet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-genet/) > [The physicality of a real relationship - one that encompasses mind, body and soul - ultimately makes it more fulfilling and powerful than any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/the-physicality-of-a-real-relationship-one-that-encompasses-mind-body/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [Couples often live out years of falsehood trying to protect and save a relationship, all the while destroying any chance of real relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/couples-often-live-out-years-of-falsehood-trying-to-protect-and-save/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“over time, staying real becomes the work of keeping our actions in the world connected to the truth of our inner being, allowing our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-nepo/over-time-staying-real-becomes-the-work-of-keeping-our-actions-in-the/) [Mark Nepo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-nepo/) > [“Once we begin to live the truth that we have found in our inner adventures, a more liberating world will open before our eyes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/m-laurie-cantil/once-we-begin-to-live-the-truth-that-we-have-found-in-our-inner/) [M. Laurie Cantil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/m-laurie-cantil/) > [However, I need to make music that represents my inner truth and inner voice. I've found myself more able to do that within an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anoushka-shankar/however-i-need-to-make-music-that-represents-my-inner-truth-and-inner/) [Anoushka Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anoushka-shankar/) > [“One of the most important variables in whether an enterprise remains great lies in a simple question: what is the truth about the inner…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosettabooks/one-of-the-most-important-variables-in-whether-an-enterprise-remains-2/) [RosettaBooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosettabooks/) > [In this life, we are in a constant search for inner peace. We long for it in all aspects of our lives, both personally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raheem-devaughn/in-this-life-we-are-in-a-constant-search-for-inner-peace-we-long-for/) [Raheem DeVaughn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raheem-devaughn/) > [As we open our hearts to others, we begin to discover the truth of our own inner beauty, inner strength and inner light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jeffers/as-we-open-our-hearts-to-others-we-begin-to-discover-the-truth-of-our/) [Susan Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jeffers/) > [Truth is inner harmony.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walther-rathenau/truth-is-inner-harmony/) [Walther Rathenau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walther-rathenau/) > [“It is a surprise to me to like myself; among all the elaborate possibilities I contemplated for my future, that never figured. My hard-won…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-solomon/it-is-a-surprise-to-me-to-like-myself-among-all-the-elaborate/) [andrew solomon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-solomon/) > [To me, when you're crying, you're aligned with some sort of truth. Some inner truth. That's why you cry. You identify. It's just ultimate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noah-centineo/to-me-when-you-re-crying-you-re-aligned-with-some-sort-of-truth-some/) [Noah Centineo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noah-centineo/) > [“Since learning the truth, his inner compass had spun off course, swinging wildly, like a needle around a magnet or one of those volley…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eli-easton/since-learning-the-truth-his-inner-compass-had-spun-off-course/) [Eli Easton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eli-easton/) > [“When we embrace the opposites within ourselves and understand that inner harmony arises when they mature, we find the love, joy, silence and freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-dhyan-giten/when-we-embrace-the-opposites-within-ourselves-and-understand-that-2/) [Swami Dhyan Giten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-dhyan-giten/) ## More by Henry Cloud > [The amount of truth a relationship can handle is proportional to the amount of perceived love that's present.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/the-amount-of-truth-a-relationship-can-handle-is-proportional-to-the/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“Are we paying attention to what is important, inhibiting the things that will not help or will hurt us, and keeping current?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/are-we-paying-attention-to-what-is-important-inhibiting-the-things/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“Neglecting them leads to spiritual and emotional problems; having them met, however, frees us to meet the needs of others cheerfully and without resentment.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/neglecting-them-leads-to-spiritual-and-emotional-problems-having-them/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“we need people to whom we can talk and who will understand without invalidating our feelings by saying the following: You shouldn’t feel that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/we-need-people-to-whom-we-can-talk-and-who-will-understand-without/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [Leadership is not taken, it is given. People give leadership to those that they trust. They allow people that they trust to have influence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/leadership-is-not-taken-it-is-given-people-give-leadership-to-those/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“What appear to be dangerous and even bad periods in some lives can actually bring them closer to the Lord, because these individuals honestly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/what-appear-to-be-dangerous-and-even-bad-periods-in-some-lives-can/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“We are drawn to Jesus because “he learned obedience from what he suffered” (Heb. 5:8). People who are growing up are also drawn to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/we-are-drawn-to-jesus-because-he-learned-obedience-from-what-he/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [If you want to become healthy, you have to surround yourself with a group of people that are getting healthy, and you have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/if-you-want-to-become-healthy-you-have-to-surround-yourself-with-a/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [Dont use all-or-nothing thinking. Take each day as its own day, and dont worry about it if you mess up one day. The most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/dont-use-all-or-nothing-thinking-take-each-day-as-its-own-day-and/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [Faith goes beyond reason. It goes beyond what you can see. But it is as real as anything you can touch or feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/faith-goes-beyond-reason-it-goes-beyond-what-you-can-see-but-it-is-as/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [Boundaries are basically about providing structure, and structure is essential in building anything that thrives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/boundaries-are-basically-about-providing-structure-and-structure-is/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“Forgiveness and opening up to more abuse are not the same thing. Forgiveness has to do with the past. Reconciliation and boundaries have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/forgiveness-and-opening-up-to-more-abuse-are-not-the-same-thing/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“The old saying, “Don’t get mad. Just get even” isn’t accurate. It’s far better to say, “Don’t get mad. Set a limit!” Myth”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/the-old-saying-don-t-get-mad-just-get-even-isn-t-accurate-it-s-far/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“When we fail to express our needs, we remain islands unto ourselves—detached, alone, arrogant, and proud. But when we expose our needs, we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/when-we-fail-to-express-our-needs-we-remain-islands-unto-ourselves/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) > [“Receiving forgiveness when we know we’ve truly blown it is a humbling and growth-producing experience. It’s the only thing better than forgiving someone else.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-cloud/receiving-forgiveness-when-we-know-we-ve-truly-blown-it-is-a-humbling/) [Henry Cloud](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) [Explore all 251 Henry Cloud quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-cloud/) ## More Honesty quotes > [The greatest gift you can give to those around you is honesty. Sometimes honest words may sting the heart, but dishonesty pierces deep into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nishan-panwar/the-greatest-gift-you-can-give-to-those-around-you-is-honesty/) [Nishan Panwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nishan-panwar/) > [If You Love Someone, Be Brave Enough To Tell Them., Otherwise Be Brave Enough To Watch Them To Be Loved By Someone Else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bilal-zahoor/if-you-love-someone-be-brave-enough-to-tell-them-otherwise-be-brave/) [Bilal Zahoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bilal-zahoor/) > [Honesty in politics is the result of strength; hypocrisy is the result of weakness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-lenin/honesty-in-politics-is-the-result-of-strength-hypocrisy-is-the-result/) [Vladimir Lenin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-lenin/) > [In all honesty, once you become a professional, number one, you're no longer a fan. I don't root for the Dodgers, really. I just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vin-scully/in-all-honesty-once-you-become-a-professional-number-one-you-re-no/) [Vin Scully](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vin-scully/) > [Honest people don't hide their deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-bronte/honest-people-don-t-hide-their-deeds/) [Emily Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-bronte/) > [The quality an artist must have is objectivity in judging his work, plus the honesty and courage not to kid himself about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/the-quality-an-artist-must-have-is-objectivity-in-judging-his-work/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [I think honesty is a big part. Because when you sing live, you want the audience to believe you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pixie-lott/i-think-honesty-is-a-big-part-because-when-you-sing-live-you-want-the/) [Pixie Lott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pixie-lott/) > [Anything well written with good language and clarity and honesty is worth doing. It comes out of the same tradition as Shakespeare.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-moriarty/anything-well-written-with-good-language-and-clarity-and-honesty-is/) [Michael Moriarty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-moriarty/) > [Honesty, by evil fortune tried, Finds in adversity the seed of praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/honesty-by-evil-fortune-tried-finds-in-adversity-the-seed-of-praise/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [Former Libyan dictator Moammar Gadhafi and the radical Islamist mullahs ruling Iran share many similarities, but honesty and negotiating in good faith are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-hoekstra/former-libyan-dictator-moammar-gadhafi-and-the-radical-islamist/) [Pete Hoekstra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-hoekstra/) > [“An honest man is a debtless man, he doesn't owe anyone anything.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/an-honest-man-is-a-debtless-man-he-doesn-t-owe-anyone-anything/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [Don't worry so much about your self-esteem. Worry more about your character. Integrity is its own reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/don-t-worry-so-much-about-your-self-esteem-worry-more-about-your/) [Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/) > [“Teach honesty by all means - you do know what it is, don't you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/teach-honesty-by-all-means-you-do-know-what-it-is-don-t-you/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [America today is a confused society, caught up in a terror war, a culture war, and a media war, where honesty and professional standards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-o-reilly/america-today-is-a-confused-society-caught-up-in-a-terror-war-a/) [Bill O'Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-o-reilly/) > [There's a need for music that has urgency and emotional honesty. That's why people are reintroducing themselves to guitar music - that instrument has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mura-masa/there-s-a-need-for-music-that-has-urgency-and-emotional-honesty-that/) [Mura Masa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mura-masa/) [Browse all 4,388 Honesty quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We often fear being honest because it was not safe to express honesty in our earthly relationships. With Job we fear both abandonment and retaliation. People abandoned us or attacked us when we told them how we really felt. Rest assured, however, that God desires truth in our “inner parts” (Ps. 51:6). He is seeking people who will have a real relationship with him (John 4:23–24). He wants to hear it all, no matter how bad it seems to us. 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