James 1:19b (NLT): …you must all be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to get angry.
It’s been said that we often listen to respond rather than listen to understand. You’ve also probably heard that we have 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason – we should listen twice as much as we speak. Imagine a world where we all listened to understand and talked about half as much as we currently do. Forget about a world; imagine an office, a home, a classroom.
A leader listens before speaking and does not let her emotions rule her actions. A leader is eager to understand another’s point of view and does not quickly get defensive or angry. A leader realizes that listening is a counter-intuitive act that takes practice and intentionality to cultivate.
Patient Father, thank you for the gift of communication. Help us to be quick to listen and slower to respond. Please forgive us when we get it backwards. Amen.
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