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ASIFINPASSING's post in Streams gave me much to ponder...
Do you really listen to others?
Do you listen to learn?
Do you attempt to read between the lines at all?
Do you listen with compassion?
Do you listen contextually?
Do you listen with a critical spirit?
Do you ponder your next point while others are speaking?
Do you tend to be presumptuous?
Do you listen judgmentally?
Can we show Christ in a given situation if we aren't truly listening or does this cause missed opportunities to share His love?
How dangerous have you found a presumptuous, critical attitude to be in your dealings with others?
Some people are clearly better listeners than others, but even those people will need to be heard from time to time.
When we hear what we may consider to be whining/complaining from someone, do we tune them out or is it a signal for us to listen with more than just our hearts to a deeper need?
Do we even care or are we so caught up with our own problems?
Don't get me wrong... We all go through seasons in our lives when we may not be capable of handling more than our own problems. But, over the years, I have found that taking an interest in others, praying for their emotional/physical/whatever need of healing can bring about tremendous growth and healing in us as well.
Have you lost a loved one? Jesus cares.
Are you terminally ill? Jesus cares.
Are you under a tremendous financial load? Jesus cares.
Are you headed off to battle? Jesus cares.
Is your life in danger? Jesus cares.
Are you broken hearted? Jesus cares.
Do you feel isolated and alone? Jesus cares.
Is the weight of your past weighing you down? Jesus cares.
Are you battling depression? Jesus cares
Is there a burden of sin you want to release? Jesus DEFINITELY cares.
We talk about what may or may not be "legitimate problems". We talk about "petty issues". But...who are we to determine what may or may not be legitimate or petty in the life of another? ESPECIALLY people we may only know from online? If an issue is real to an individual, how real need it be to anyone else in order to receive compassion? Surely we have all had our pity parties from time to time, have we not?
If Jesus cares, shouldn't we?
I Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
James 5:20
remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
Do you really listen to others?
Do you listen to learn?
Do you attempt to read between the lines at all?
Do you listen with compassion?
Do you listen contextually?
Do you listen with a critical spirit?
Do you ponder your next point while others are speaking?
Do you tend to be presumptuous?
Do you listen judgmentally?
Can we show Christ in a given situation if we aren't truly listening or does this cause missed opportunities to share His love?
How dangerous have you found a presumptuous, critical attitude to be in your dealings with others?
Some people are clearly better listeners than others, but even those people will need to be heard from time to time.
When we hear what we may consider to be whining/complaining from someone, do we tune them out or is it a signal for us to listen with more than just our hearts to a deeper need?
Do we even care or are we so caught up with our own problems?
Don't get me wrong... We all go through seasons in our lives when we may not be capable of handling more than our own problems. But, over the years, I have found that taking an interest in others, praying for their emotional/physical/whatever need of healing can bring about tremendous growth and healing in us as well.
Have you lost a loved one? Jesus cares.
Are you terminally ill? Jesus cares.
Are you under a tremendous financial load? Jesus cares.
Are you headed off to battle? Jesus cares.
Is your life in danger? Jesus cares.
Are you broken hearted? Jesus cares.
Do you feel isolated and alone? Jesus cares.
Is the weight of your past weighing you down? Jesus cares.
Are you battling depression? Jesus cares
Is there a burden of sin you want to release? Jesus DEFINITELY cares.
We talk about what may or may not be "legitimate problems". We talk about "petty issues". But...who are we to determine what may or may not be legitimate or petty in the life of another? ESPECIALLY people we may only know from online? If an issue is real to an individual, how real need it be to anyone else in order to receive compassion? Surely we have all had our pity parties from time to time, have we not?
If Jesus cares, shouldn't we?
I Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
James 5:20
remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 1:22
Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.
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