The biggest communication problem we have is we don’t listen to understand – we listen to reply. We listen, but we’re already formulating our answer in our mind as they’re speaking…waiting for them to take a breath so we can jump right in with our opinion, our story, our feelings, or our judgment. But Proverbs 10:19 warns us that, “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise.” There will be times you’ll be privileged enough to have someone confide in you. And this is the time for active, purposeful, and deliberate listening…a time of putting aside yourself and rather giving them and their words validation. It’s a time of giving this person your undivided attention… not to spew advice at them, but to allow them to express pent-up emotions, fears, and worries as you simply listen. For many times frankly, you have no control over the situation…only God does. But non-judgmental listening and just being there can still make a huge difference in that person’s life because they have been heard.
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