How do you listen with your ears? Do you listen to hear and hold space for the person talking? Or do you listen to fix their problems, tell them where they went wrong, and point out how you have a similar story?
I'll say that I am working on the above--I've been trained how to counsel, how to fix, and how to heal. But just like always, the Bible truly is the first and most powerful book of truth, counseling, self-help, and other person help, we need to learn to just listen, just hold space, hear, and BE there more often than all the other things.
When we learn to truly listen, to hear the pain, to hold space to acknowledge the person's journey, their perspective, the interwoven pieces of their life that lead them to this moment--then WE grow, we learn, we understand other's pain, we learn to think more critically about a situation which causes us to be slower to anger because we see all the pieces in a different less self-focused way.
Let's choose today to just listen. Just listen to your children. Just listen to your spouse. Just listen to your coworker. Don't try to fix the problem. Don't try to share how you had a similar problem. Just listen. Just acknowledge their feelings. Just explain that you are present to hear and be there for them. And then come share with me what you learned on this week's journey. 🗣🤳
Let's pray: Dear Lord God Almighty, we thank You that Your word is an incredible insight into the needs of every human heart.
You said first and best what we need to do for ourselves and for all those around us.
Lord please help us this week to put Your Holy word into action. Please help us to hold our tongue, to listen, to hold space for those speaking to us, and to truly see with our heart their needs.
Thank You Lord for pruning away the worldly sin, selfishness, and broken mindsets. Help us Lord to put Your word, Your way, Your will, Your dreams, Your goals for us into our hearts and minds.
Thank You Lord for loving us each with unique blessings and Your always listening ear. In Jesus name, Amen.
