Thursday, July 2, 2015

Listening vs. hearing...

How many times do you give advice?  You give advice to your friends, family, children and even co-workers. But… when someone gives you advice do you really listen? I was talking with a friend last night, and it was brought up that I was great at giving advice – just not following it.  What?!?  You have got to be kidding me!  I listen to everything people say to me.   After he left, I got to thinking - I know I hear what people say to me, but do I really LISTEN?   There is a big difference. 

After I began thinking about this, I started thinking about my relationship with God.  I pray and ask for God’s guidance – but, do I really LISTEN to His answers? And, why is this such a hard concept? Is it because we are impatient? Yes.  Is it because we think we know best? Yes.  At times, it is very difficult to put aside our thoughts and feelings about the way we think things should be, and follow God’s plan. Not only do we not listen, we worry about things that we shouldn’t, or things that are out of our control. We need to pray and turn everything over to Him.


Phillipians 4: 6-7 says, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” While this seems like such a simple solution – it’s not. It is hard. It is hard not to listen to all of those around you, and just focus on His answers.  It is hard when life throws you curve balls, and chaos breaks out to take a step back and put your trust in Him. I would encourage each person this week to pray and put your trust in Him and see what happens. You might be amazed by the results!

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