Reflection: By now, we’ve established that words are powerful and can be used for destruction or for restoration. Knowing how to use the right words that are gentle, wise, timely, appropriate and motivated by the right attitude will naturally mean that you will need to spend more time listening than speaking. The more you speak in an ill-prepared manner, the more likely you are to harm people.
My pastor once told me a story of how, when he was first invited to a senior board meeting, he was so nervous about making a bad impression he busied himself with intently listening and taking meticulous notes. After the meeting the Chairman shook his hand and said, “You are a wise man”. Safe to say, my pastor’s humility led to him choosing to listen over speaking. That’s wisdom.
Are you listening to understand? Or listening to hear a break in the conversation so you can come swooping in with your advice? Truth is, the more you learn about the power of words, the less likely you will be to flippantly throw them around. Often the wisest words to say are “keep going, I’m listening”.
Prayer: Lord help me to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Remind me again of the times I felt loved by a person who simply gave me the gift of their time; thank you, God, for sending that them into my life. Help me to be that to others as well. Amen.