Do you UNDERSTAND?

"Do you u-n-d-e-r-s-t-a-n-d the words coming out of my mouth?" Parents, boss, spouse (sorry if those two are the same person for you:-) girlfriend or boyfriend, ever said something like that to you?

I'm reading Proverbs currently which has much to say about "wisdom"---something I long to possess in an increasing measure. This verse got in my head and has been working it's way through my brain (probably a scary place to navigate):

"Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding." Proverbs 4:7

Isn't it true that often times we don't really listen to people?---or maybe it's just me, huh? But, we (me and that one other person like me) sometimes just wait for our turn to talk. I mean we are looking at them, and we see their mouth moving, but we smile and all we hear is "Blah, blah, blah." Then we notice that their lips stop moving, and it's like a bell goes off "Ding" and it's our turn to talk. But again that's just me...none of you have ever experienced that I'm sure?

But, your world and mine would be a very different place, and we would be very different people if we sought to understand more than we sought to be heard. The writer of Proverbs says "UNDERSTANDING" is so important that even if the personal cost is great we should, do whatever it takes to get there.

You can be sure that seeking to understand will cost you. Maybe time, maybe effort, maybe your ego, maybe the restraint of not responding immediately, maybe the satisfaction of saying your piece, maybe your turn to speak?

But I think we would all be amazed at the positive change in our relationships if we sought to "UNDERSTAND" before we opened our mouth. Honestly, choosing not to "understand" will ultimately cost us more.

Do you listen or just wait for your turn to talk? Try to understand people.

The writer of James reinforced it this way "My dear brothers, take note of this, Everyone should be quick to listen and slow to speak..." James 1:19

...it got in your head too didn't it? Try it out for the next couple of days.


Don't forget to check out" www.ifiknewgodwaswithme.com" Some really cool stories unfolding. Jump over there--read the entries and share your answer to this question: "What would someone in my circumstances do if they were completely confident that God was with them?" What would you do differently?