“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19.
Do you find yourself hearing something but not necessarily listening to it? Listening requires action on your part. Hearing is a matter of sound being picked up by the auditory senses. You may often hear what someone is saying, but never listen to the heart behind it.
When you listen too little, you don’t give yourself enough time to think on your response. This is when your reaction can be reflexive and not responsive—you say something that you may regret or that may cause hurt or anger. Remember, you can take the nail from the board but the hole will still be there. This quick reflex can be avoided by simply listening.
If you listen more, it seems, you can control your anger more. If you control your anger more, you can make better decisions and more godly actions will follow. This progression not only brings you the life that God desires, it can mend present relationships and build new ones.
If you listen more, you become more aware of the feelings of others and the message of their heart. .
“Okay, keep talking, ———-Now I’m listening!!!
Have a blessed day!
In Christian love,
Diane