“MOST people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.” ~ Stephen Covey
How good of a listener are you? If you are like MOST people, you struggle to listen. What does your listening reflect? Do you listen to understand, be empathetic, or sympathetic? Are you a story stealer? Meaning you can’t wait for the other person to finish their story so you can top theirs, and most of the time, not even allowing them to finish their story before interrupting and cutting them off? How can MOST of us become better at listening to understand than be understood?
“I like to listen. I have learned a great deal from listening carefully. Most people never listen.” ~ Ernest Hemingway
The short answer, we need God’s help. We also must own the fact this truth about ourselves, MOST of us suck at listening. We have to name it before we can claim it. Next, shift our focus from having a quick response when listening to simply listening to understand what the person is attempting to express and wanting us to understand. MOST of the time, they do not want us to fix them or solve their problem; they want us to shut up and listen.
Isn’t it comforting to know that God always has our full attention? Our prayers, joys, and concerns never fall on deaf ears. God is listening to understand, so the Holy Spirit can help us better understand the will of God and how to practice God’s will in all of our affairs. Since God listens to understand, it would serve us well as God’s children to learn to do the same.
Who in your life needs you to become better at listening seriously? Will you surrender your listening over to God and become willing to go to any lengths to improve in this critical act of love and respect?
Lord, I am glad You listen to my prayers, concerns, and joys without interrupting. You listen to understand, so You can help me know Your will for my life. Please help me listen to others the way You listen to me. I am praying you can grant me the willingness to change and be committed to this all-important act of love for others. In Your Spirit and Name, I pray these things. May Your will not mine always materialize, now and forever. Amen.
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