Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they
hold their tongues.
Proverbs 17:28
I am so glad you have joined me to turn our words into gratitude. However, today I have a twist for you.
I love talking to my sister. She lives halfway across the country, and when we have thirty minutes to catch up, I try to get as much news in as possible. I tell her about the kids, school, our parents, the weather, travel plans and so on and so on. The problem is sometimes when I hang up the phone; I have no idea what’s going on in her life. I missed the opportunity to know more about her because I couldn’t be quiet. I just kept talking.
Sometimes it’s better to listen more and talk less.
Talking more than listening causes problems. Solomon penned warnings about too much talking. Proverbs 18:13 says that answering before listening is folly and shame (NIV). We are also warned that fools don’t want to understand, instead, they want to talk too much about their own opinions (18:2). I don’t want to be a fool?
When I am talking, I can’t hear what anyone is saying, even God.
When you pray, do you have a list of things to discuss with God? Do you offer a series of needs, wants, worries and troubles, ask for forgiveness, and end with a thank you. Amen. When we do all the talking, we can’t hear God speak.
Although we are concentrating on using our words for gratitude, today let’s not use so many. Today may be the day that God sends you someone that needs a good listener, not a talker. And today when you pray, put down the list and listen for God’s voice. He wants to tell you what to say when it’s time to talk.
Father, praise you that you speak to us. Thank you that you hear our prayers. Help us today to have ears to hear your words and to listen more than we speak.
#listening #talking #Godsvoice
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