Listening

“So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”—James 1:19

According to a recent survey, 96% of people think they are good listeners. But the facts tell another story. Most people retain only about half of what others say. Instead of listening, people are often distracted, thinking about what to say or just not paying attention.

Research demonstrates how easily we can take listening for granted. People may talk, but how often do we really hear what they say?

One problem is that many people don’t realize the importance of listening. We are more interested in having others listen to us than in hearing what others are saying. We often spend listening time focusing on our own point of view or our own interests. Our minds often drift as we’re thinking about something else entirely.

If we want to be better listeners, we need to put distractions aside and focus on the people with whom we are interacting. We need to not just be talking but paying attention to what others say, giving people our undivided attention.

These habits apply to our relationship with God too. Many people just don’t spend time focusing on Him. Their prayer time is filled with their own thoughts and concerns, and they hardly pause to listen.

If you want to be a better listener in your spiritual life, seek to spend quality time with God. Eliminate distractions. Attentively read His Word, thinking about each phrase. Be sensitive to what He wants to communicate.

Reflection Question: How are you listening to God today?