July 31st, 2023 Monday Motivator

James 1:19 says, “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”

I wanted to start with this verse because it leads into our 5th STOP SIGN.

Today is the end of our series, but I hope you’ve read and applied each stop sign to your life!

Our last stop sign is “Stop volunteering advice and listen.”

Now, there is nothing wrong with giving advice, but we tend to do this more than the most critical part – listening.

After all, no one cares how much we know until they know how much we care.

People tend to receive more when they know it comes from someone who truly cares for them.

How do you show someone you care? Show your heart by listening and going one step further with follow-up questions.

It’s safe to say it’s obvious when someone isn’t intentional in their conversation with you. Their attention is everywhere but toward you and what you are saying. They are relaying that they don’t care by not giving you their full attention.

Then some are so eager to advise about the situation when all that person needs is to pour out their heart.

We don’t always have to say something back! And that should be relieving for you.

Instead of being quick to speak, as you genuinely listen to that person, be listening to the Holy Spirit to see if there is anything, He wants you to say. Don’t listen to listen but take that person’s burden upon yourself and begin interceding on their behalf concerning the situation.

Ask yourself this week. Do my family and friends know me as a listener? 

If not, my challenge for you is:

Be intentional – when someone approaches you, say I am here and let them spill. If advice is asked, rely on the Holy Spirit to tell you what to say. Our words only do so much, but one word from God can change a life.

Make time to listen – maybe you are a busy person. It is still critical to make time for that person, especially your family. A person’s number one need is to feel seen and heard. Maybe this requires you to re-prioritize.

Hug them and pray for them – a hug can go a long way sometimes, but also don’t just pray then for them but in your personal time too! 

I pray this helps you in some way. I look forward to hearing testimonies from this series!