Strength in Listening

 

    One thing I have learned in this world is the power of feeling heard.  When you have to get something off your chest (good or bad) and someone stops everything they are doing to listen.  It can be just the thing to help you move forward, accept, embrace, or whatever needs to be triggered.  When you reach out, you may learn how the other person prioritizes you too.

   It starts with a self-evaluation.  You can't expect other people to listen to you if you are not a good listener for them.  Are yourself if I am a person that can stop everything to listen to someone else? Or are you thinking about your own stuff, how to respond, or wanting to get away?  

    It takes practice and prayer for most of us to be a good listener.  It takes strength to listen all the time.  After all you have your own life and your own problems.  Are you able to put your stuff aside to be there for another person?

    Now think of God.  He is there to listen to each and every one of us individually at all times, at the same time.  That is strength.  That is power.  That would destroy all of us.  He listens to it all without interruption, sleep, or impatience.

    When praying to God it is good to take some time to be silent and wait on God's response.  You just need to be prepared.  His response is rarely what we are expecting.  It is not always going to be what you want to hear.  When that happens. just trust Him.  His timing and plan for you is perfect.  He has more mercy than you can fathom, so feel free to ask for clarification.  Just remember that he typically wants us to start moving before He gives us all the details. 

    Be still and really open your mind and heart to hear whatever He is trying to tell you because the Holy Spirit is usually soft spoken.  You will miss His message if you are not really listening.  It may be just what you need to keep you going.  God is the best choice in confidants.  

    Pray for protection against evil.  Evil will corrupt His message or stop you from being able to hear God.  It will rush you into acting without praying.  It takes strength to really listen and give of yourself  sacrificially at times to listen to other people.  It can be exhausting, so make sure you go to God to be heard and refreshed along your journey in life.

Psalm 28