I may or may not have mentioned in a previous post that it irritates me when people don’t operate as I do. Luckily, I’ve been convicted about those feelings and ultimately have begun extending grace to the way people govern themselves, even if I don’t understand or agree.
BUT, God still ain’t done with me yet.
These feelings get to rushing back when communication is the matter at hand. If I had a dime for every time an issue came about due to miscommunication, I could probably quit my day job. It’s the most frustrating thing on the planet. Like, if people effectively used their words, just think of how much more we could advance as a human race. If people’s words matched their actions, miscommunication would be at a record low. Think of how many assumptions could be laid to rest. Think of how much better we would be able to understand one another. Think of the possibilities.
With that being said though, communication is so layered. There are tons of different communication styles. There’s both verbal and non-verbal communication and, most importantly, communication doesn’t just entail talking.
Listening has a lot to do with it as well.
Proverbs 18:2
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Some of the issues that I experience with communication involve a lack of talking, but most? Most instances are adults not having their listening ears on. I know you’ve heard the saying, “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” Yet, some of us haven’t entirely grasped the concept yet. It makes sense; people love to hear themselves talk. I can be one of those people at times. There’s just a different type of transformation that can take place when you listen though. You learn more about the appropriate ways to interact with various types of people. I know something that I’ve struggled with is my delivery. What I say could be honest and of value, but if the way I deliver it is not digestible to the receiver, the whole message is negated. It’s my constant goal to speak softer so that people can hear me better.
Psalm 19:14
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
My church actually uses this verse in the benediction at the end of the service. I’ve heard it tons of times, but it really never hit until now. I think it’s so dope when the Word hits you right when it’s supposed to. I used to be one of those people that let anything come out of their mouth because I’m being real or honest, so who cares how it’s being delivered, right? YIKES. My apologies to everyone that knew the old me. It’s extremely toxic behavior and I’m not proud of it. However, walking with God will transform your heart and that will spill over into your actions. Most recently, I’ve been blessed with the ability to think before I speak, a trait I don’t think I had way back in the gap. I want to make sure I’m considerate of people’s feelings when I approach them. I want to be sure that the delivery of my words are pleasing to God. That’s my priority, honestly, even when it may be uncomfortable for me. As long as I’m being obedient, I’m GOODT, and that’s just that on that. ♡