Compassionate Listening

The main purpose of straight talk as a communication tool is to share what’s important even when it may seem trivial. Every person has been guilty of marginally listening to someone who needs to share what they think or feel. Failure to experience the compassionate listening of another person accounts for some people concealing their thoughts and feelings.

Each person must feel assured they can share what’s inside of them without fear of reprisal or criticism. A sense of safety is required for revealing what is hidden in the heart and soul. Know that it takes discipline and self-control to listen, but the reward is gaining trust and love from the one who wants you to listen.

Listening with the intent to understand demands patience but conveys a sense of importance for the one who is speaking. The rewards are declared in an old Swedish proverb: “As we share our joys, they are doubled. As we share our sorrows, they are halved”. For this privilege of sharing who we are with special people, we give thanks to you, Christ Jesus.

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The one who knows much says little; 

an understanding person remains calm.

~Proverbs 17:27 The Message

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