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.

___________________ 

The one who knows much says little; 

an understanding person remains calm.

~Proverbs 17:27 The Message

____________________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week. 

Straight Talk: Speak It, Hear It

In order for successful relationships to remain vibrant and alive, there must be healthy, unrestrained communication. Open communication binds a family together through the difficult days each relationship is destined to experience. Communication depends on listening as much as it does on clearly articulating what needs to be said.

Saying what you mean in straightforward language is a necessity for being understood. That does not mean yelling or screaming and using offensive words to the one hearing what you want to communicate. Remember, it’s hard to listen when your thoughts race ahead to formulate a response, especially if what you’re hearing is difficult to accept.  

Most everyone is receptive to straight talk if spoken with integrity and concern for the integrity of the listener. When we're receptive to hearing what God has to say to us in worship, prayer, and Scripture, he speaks so we can understand. So listen closely and thoroughly and he will direct you in ways that lead to life and peace.  

 _________________

A bad motive can’t achieve a good end; double-talk brings you double trouble.

~Proverbs 17:20 The Message

Whatever you have to say, let your ‘yes’ be a plain ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be a plain ‘no’ – anything more than this has a taint of evil.  

~Matthew 5:37 Phillips – The New Testament in Modern English

__________________

Subscribe to the Attitudes Answers podcast on your favorite podcast platform to hear this and other 2-minute features 3 days every week.