How many times have you shouted, “Hear me out?” Probably more women than me will admit this; but hey guys you know you said it, whether it was under your breath or out loud more times than we women know about it. Part of being human is wanting, no actually needing, to be heard. If someone will just listen to us and grunt, “uh huh” once in a while, we will all probably live longer. We as humans need other human beings to talk to, but more than talk—listen. One of the greatest things we can do for others is let them talk. It’s a gift to listen. It’s a greater gift to allow the other person to talk and not give our input, our opinion, our solution, our better than that, our one up. It takes some growing up on the part of the listener to do this well. In our immaturity, our insecurity, our competiveness or whatever you may or I may be dealing with a great deal of self-denial to just listen.
Proverbs 1:5 (NIV) “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—“
We can often learn not only about others, but about ourselves, as we listen to others sort out their thoughts and share their feelings. It is really a privilege and honor that others would deem us worthy of hearing what’s on their heart and in their thoughts. When we cut them off or present our interpretation we often come up totally missing the point. The other person feels hurt or disrespected and we may have not even noticed.
Proverbs 18:13 (NIV) “To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”
Let’s start the week off with a challenge to listen to others to hear what they are really saying more than trying to be heard. Instead of shouting, “Hear me out”, let’s try to hear what others need to get out. You and I may be very surprised what’s really in there that needs not just said…but heard.
Proverbs 1:5 (NIV) “let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance—“
We can often learn not only about others, but about ourselves, as we listen to others sort out their thoughts and share their feelings. It is really a privilege and honor that others would deem us worthy of hearing what’s on their heart and in their thoughts. When we cut them off or present our interpretation we often come up totally missing the point. The other person feels hurt or disrespected and we may have not even noticed.
Proverbs 18:13 (NIV) “To answer before listening— that is folly and shame.”
Let’s start the week off with a challenge to listen to others to hear what they are really saying more than trying to be heard. Instead of shouting, “Hear me out”, let’s try to hear what others need to get out. You and I may be very surprised what’s really in there that needs not just said…but heard.
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