Tell your troubles to others as you seek advice and when you need their prayers (James 5:16). However, be careful that you can trust the person you talk with. Encouragement and talking about our troubles may help us weather a storm and get through a difficult rough spot, but that only postponed the handling of the situation and the final control we want.

“It is a common delusion that you can make things better by talking about them” is a true statement if we stop at the talking. Making things better requires us to understand the need, chart a course for correction and then follow it. “Talk is cheap” is another truism when there is no follow-up to the talk. When you seek advice, guidance or help from a good and trusted source—take it and follow through with action.