Opening Prayer: Lord, may I walk this day confident that I am fully seen, deeply heard, and endlessly loved by God—and may that assurance overflow into the way I listen to others. Amen
Read Proverbs 18:13 NIV “To answer before listening – that is folly and shame.”
Read Proverbs 18: 13 Message version “Answering before listening is both stupid and rude.”
Answering before listening is silly. It seems obvious. Scripture tells us it is “foolish”, “shameful” or as the message version of Proverbs 18:13 says, it is both “stupid and rude”. Well, ouch! Answering before listening is foolish, not because speaking is wrong, but speaking without understanding can harm our communication and our overall connection. Many of us know the ache of not being fully heard. We have spoken while someone is nodding along yet not truly listening to us.
Listening, truly listening, tells someone: You matter more than my opinion.
The world teaches us to talk faster, respond quicker, and defend sooner. But God calls us to slow down. Wisdom lives in the pause.
Truth: People feel loved when we truly listen.
Prayer: Father, quiet my need to respond so I can hear hearts, not just words.
