Sometimes when people are talking to you and pouring their heart out to you, they just want you to listen. They don’t want any feedback, they don’t want to know what you would do if you were in their situation, they just want you to listen.
We are so quick to give advice to the point we feel like being silent is awkward. Quite frankly, I like not having to answer people back all the time. I don’t mind being a sounding board for them, because I’d rather they get all of their anger and emotions out with me; than go do something stupid. Also, people don’t always need a word either. Look at the woman that was caught in adultery. Jesus just listened and was writing on the ground, he didn’t get deep with her, he didn’t prophesy to her, he just asked her a question and told her to keep it moving and stop sinning.
There will be times when you will have to speak but you need to figure out when that time is. And, when you begin to speak, don’t start accusing the person or start saying stupid stuff. In other words, don’t be like Job friends, they were quiet for seven days and on the eighth day they began to talk and couldn’t shut up.
Listening is a skill that many of us don’t have. We hear but we don’t listen. So today, when someone begins to tell you about their situation; be quiet, let them say everything and if they ask for your opinion then say something. If they don’t then be quiet.
Be blessed and continue to be a blessing.
woman2womanministries1 