text: I'm Listening!! – Pathway Journey
  Posted on August 4, 2020 August 3, 2020 by Harry Whitt
  Our country (and the world) has become increasingly divided. Individuals and institutions pick sides and refuse to listen to an opposing opinion. This is a sad situation for everyone in the long run. If we are grownups and moderately intelligent, then we should be able to hold two opposing thoughts in our heads at the same time and respectively discuss them.
  Here are a few points of consideration about conversational listening. I believe they could be beneficial from the halls of Congress to our dining room tables. Consider the following:
  "He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him" (Proverbs 18:13 NKJV). I hate having a discussion with someone who does not let you finish a sentence before saying "Yeah, but…!" Hear people out, you might learn something.
  I was on a long flight home from a foreign country and just happened to be sitting next to a young Muslim man. The casual conversation turned to religion and I identified myself as a Christian and he identified himself as a Muslim.
  Being genuinely interested in his perspective on salvation, I asked him and just listened. It is amazing what you hear and learn with your mouth shut and your ears open. After some time, I responded with, "That's interesting and as a Christian this is what we believe about salvation in Christ…" I had his ear for a few minutes because I first gave him my ear and full attention for a few minutes. We never argued and listened respectively to each other's point of view.
  ACTIVELY LISTEN BUT DON'T ARGUE
  When people get emotional and begin to argue, no one is really listening. They are only figuratively loading their argument gun for the next firefight. If you are discussing a subject with someone and you only make them mad, you just lost the debate.
  LISTENERS GAIN KNOWLEDGE
  "Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge" (Proverbs 22:17 NKJV). Someone said, "A broke clock is right twice every day." There may be a nugget of gold in their pile of rocks. Over the years, I have also learned a lot from people who did not appear to be the brightest bulbs in the chandelier. Everyone has their story.
  When I taught school, I asked one of those crazy questions to a group of students, "Is this half-glass of water, half-full or half-empty? From adults, the usual answer is about being either optimistic or pessimistic. One little eighth grader replied, "If you are pouring it in, it's half-full and if you are pouring it out, it's half empty." My mouth dropped open—in all my years, it was the best answer ever! WOW!!
  SILENCE CAN BE LOUDER THAN SHOUTING
  Silence can be deafening. People are looking for agreement to their ideas so a non-response can sometimes be better than a counter argument. There are times we need to be vocal about issues and other times we just need to keep quiet, wisdom is knowing the difference. Some mountains are worth dying on but I've never seen a molehill where I wanted to die.
  DON'T LOSE A FRIEND, SO YOU CAN WIN AN ARGUMENT
  I have almost done this a few times. Maybe I have done this. And there are a few friends who thought they convinced me of a few things, but I just shut up and let them talk. I considered their friendship more important than being RIGHT. A friend and a future open door are more important to me than a debate trophy.
  I often hear in the public square, "We need to have a conversation about (fill in the blank)! Yes, we probably do! But first, we need to have a conversation about having a conversation. It starts with respect and listening then transitions to understanding and solutions. I'm listening!!
  CategoriesDiscipleship, Friends, Grace, Jesus, Kingdom of God, Life, Light, Love, Peace, Successful Living, Unity
  14 Replies to "I'm Listening!!"
  This excellent teaching is clear and straight to the point! I will be sending this to many of my friends! My grandkids too! Thank you so much!
  Thanks Sister Sarah. Blessings to you all.
  Very good admonishment in these troubling times! !
  Thanks Bert. Yes, at times it seems like folks are only screaming instead of listening. Everyone needs to take a deep breath and listen. Thanks for listening. Blessings to y'all.
  Seems like many people react to situations with raw emotion and no logic or compassion. Since we live in a fallen world, this is the norm. They put themselves first, and that is NOT what the Bible teaches.
  Great observation Sherry! Emotion and logic are like oil and water—they don't mix. When a person gets very emotional in a conversation trying to be logical with them is a waste of breath. Thanks for reading and commenting. Blessings to you.
  Good morning Brother Harry. I really enjoyed this eye opening message! It's like a game show I saw. One of the contestants blurted out an answer before the host got halfway through the question. When he finished the question, the answer had nothing to do with the question and made the contestant look dumb lol. I've never learned much by talking. Thank you!
  Great example of why we need to listen. I love your statement, "I've never learned much by talking." One thing I have learned from talking in certain situations—it would have been better if I had just shut up!! LOL. Thanks for your comment. Blessings to y'all.
  One of the best things I've ever read and yet so simple. Thank you for this. I really needed it.
  Thanks Brandy! I appreciate you reading and commenting on my post. Blessings to y'all.
  Marty Hatala says:
  You are the beat listener I have ever known and I'm so thankful. I am determined to develop the discipline of talking less and listening more. I know you "hear" me! 😊. Great message as always Brother Harry! I love and appreciate you!
  Thanks Dr. Marty for your encouragement. Blessings to you.
  I struggle with being a good listener. It's not always because I'm interrupting or thinking about what I'm going to say in response. Many times it's because my mind is elsewhere. I have heard the sound of the other person's voice, without having any idea what was said. I wasn't focused on the speaker or I thought our conversation had ended and my thoughts went elsewhere. I find myself saying, "What did you say?" quite frequently.
  Silence can also be interpreted to mean, "I've tuned you because I don't think you have anything important to say." Non-response is often made into a joke about married couples. In truth, it isn't funny at all and can be quite hurtful.
  Thank you, Dr. Harry, for a good word!
  Thanks Deb for your comment. Yes focusing on what people are saying is important. We all have been guilty of daydreaming instead of really listening. Yes, we have to balance the non-response and choose it wisely. Why we tune out those who are close to us is a million dollar question.