SHARE THIS POSTIf we are feeling unforgiving and slighted, sometimes we are so busy forming up our response to the other person that we don’t hear them because we aren’t LISTENING. If we don’t listen, we can’t gain the understanding that might help the situation to heal, and we certainly can’t be a better person.
Listening And Finding Common Ground
When we listen, and some of what that person says is untrue, we overreact by saying things like, “That is SO NOT TRUE!” When actually two of the things they said ARE true. We need to find the common ground and the areas of agreement that we CAN work on. God will use people to reason with us to help us outgrow our childish feelings and help us to build strong relationships.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11)
The Unforgiving Bias
We know that if we ask God, he will listen (1 John 5:14). Others should be confident that we will do the same for them. When we don’t want to forgive, our listening filter gets clogged and biased, and we are unable to hear clearly the truth of any message they try to share.
Be Encouraged!
Lord, we commit to listening to what others are saying MORE than we listen to our internal audio tape. We are secure in your love for us and will not give in to the temptation to defend ourselves. Instead, we will LISTEN, and we will FIND THE COMMON GROUND with others that will provide a bridge to healing and stronger relationships. Thank you, Jesus! Amen.
