I was browsing my old notes on my mobile and I suddenly saw this message, a message that was shared 2 years ago from our YA (young adult) group. This is about the difference between hearing and listening and finding a loyal someone to you.
While I was reading this message, it got me thinking and concerned me if which one am I. “Am I really a good listener or a good hearer? Do I have a loyal friend with me that will stay and listen to me?” I was bothered since I can’t answer my question right away. It took me days and weeks before I realized what is really meant to be a listener and a hearer, what is really meant by hearing someone’s word or listening to someone’s emotion. And yes I realized that I have one loyal friend that will stay with me and listen to me…forever.
This time I’m going to pass this message to you so you will know which one are you. Please take time to read, this is for you. 🙂
Listening is probably the most important skills in building friendship and relationships, because you can’t love people without listening to them.
There’s a BIG difference between hearing and listening. You can hear something and not really be listening. I can’t tell you how many arguments I’ve had with my kids or my wife because I was listening to words instead of the emotions. Sometimes the words don’t even matter. Somebody can say to you, “I’m fine,” but the way they say it tells you they’re not fine. Listening means you also hear what the person isn’t saying.
That’s called empathy. Empathy means to put yourself in others person’s shoes. Learn their point of view. Ask yourself, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”
Listening with empathy means you listen without interruption and you listen for fears and feelings. You listen for what they aren’t saying. You’re not trying to fix the situation. Sometimes healing comes just by listening!
As Romans 15:2 say, “we must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.’ (TLB)
What does it mean to be considerate or to bear the burden of a doubt of others? That means that when people are so much in pain and hurting so badly that they don’t even know what they believe… they need the devotion of a loyal friend- someone who will be present and listen with empathy.
Proverbs 21:21. ‘He who pursues righteousness and loyalty finds life, righteousness and honor.’
But who is that loyal friend of yours that will listen to you with empathy? That will never leave nor forsake you? And will continue to work on you until the end? Is it your family, your friends, your wife or husband, your parents, your colleague? Or is it the person next beside you?
‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3 | NIV |
Now you do realize that? Make sense right? 😉
Thanks for reading! God bless everyone! ♥.
image @google.com
halimhubunhayat 