Vital signs- Friday, February 24th, 2023

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

(James 1:19)

I have an occupational hazard; I am a preacher and I like to talk. As a result, I’m not necessarily a good listener, but I am learning. We all need to learn to listen.

When you listen, you encourage others to talk. If another person has the idea that you’re not listening, that person is not going to want to talk. More listening and less talking helps you understand. You cannot understand somebody you’re not listening to. And when you understand your other’s it follows as night follows day that understanding will bring you closer together. You’re going to achieve closeness. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that.

The reason many of us don’t listen is.

1-we’re defensive.

Our ego is there. We don’t want to hear; we don’t want anybody to tell us anything.

2-we assume we already know what others are going to say, and we finish their sentences for them before they ever get to the end.

3- while they’re talking, we’re thinking about what we’re going to say and how we’re going to answer. Instead of listening, we’re preparing our own speeches in response. The Bible says we need to learn to listen.

• When do you struggle to listen to others?

• How have you been impacted when someone

took the time to listen to you?

Ask someone how he or she is doing today and practice really listening.

Pray with me-

Father

Today, I pray that you will help me listen, at least twice as much as I talk. Let me lean in with my heart and my ears wide open to hear with a genuine, love and concern what others around me have to say. Help me to talk much less about what’s going on in my life and be much more concerned about what’s going on in the lives of others. Father May this start with my wife and my family. Lord, please help me to listen much more to you and do less talking when it comes to our time together as well.

Be glorified with my life this day in Jesus name .

Team Wade loves you and there’s nothing you can do about it ❤️👊