I was browsing my notes apps on my mobile and I saw my old journal and the message that was shared 7 years ago from our YA (young adult) group bible study. This is about the difference between hearing and listening and finding a loyal someone to you. I just want to share and pass this message to you in case it might help.
Please take time to read, this is for you. 🙂
2016 Bible study group with YAs. Sis Cath shared this message.
Listening is probably the most important skills in building friendship and relationships, because you can’t love people without listening to them.
There’s a BIG difference between hearing and listening. You can hear something and not really be listening. I can’t tell you how many arguments I’ve had with my kids and wife because I was listening to words instead of the emotions. Sometimes the words don’t even matter. Somebody can say to you, “I’m fine,” but the way they say it tells you they’re not fine. Listening means you also hear what the person isn’t saying.
That’s called empathy. Empathy means to put yourself in others person’s shoes. Learn their point of view. Ask yourself, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”
Listening with empathy means you listen without interruption and you listen for fears and feelings. You listen for what they aren’t saying. You’re not trying to fix the situation. Sometimes healing comes just by listening!
As Romans 15:2 say, “we must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.’ (TLB)
What does it mean to be considerate or to bear the burden of a doubt of others? That means that when people are so much in pain and hurting so badly that they don’t even know what they believe… they need the devotion of a loyal friend- someone who will be present and listen with empathy.
Proverbs 21:21. ‘He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor.’
My Application.
But who is that loyal friend of yours that will listen to you with empathy? That will never leave you? And will continue to work on you until the end? Is it your family, your friends, your wife or husband, your parents, your colleague? Or is it the person next beside you?
Sometimes we feel like we are alone despite having a family and friends. We are busy looking for someone who will listen, who will calm our heart and mind and who will fix the situation without knowing that there is someone who is waiting for you to just open up to him.
It took me years before I realized what it really meant to be a listener and a hearer, what it really meant by having someone who hears and listened to you without saying a word from your mouth. I did realized that I actually have one loyal friend who has been there with me whenever I’m down or happy and stayed with me and listened to me. It was just I was hearing his words before and not really listening to it. But now I’m glad and blessed that I have him in my life and forever will be. ❤
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 | NIV |
God bless everyone! 😊
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