How do you want those closest to you to respond when you are trying to get them to understand you, and what you’re saying? Do you do the same for them?
Try to understand before being understood.
Philippians 2:1-4
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
When we’re in conflict, the loving way to defuse the tension is to seek to understand before seeking to be understood. Try to figure out what the other person is thinking and saying before we start trying to convince them of our side. We cannot hope to be understood until we are willing to do the same for others.
Proverbs 18:13
A person who answers without listening is foolish and disgraceful.
When we find ourselves thinking about what we’re going to say next, instead of truly listening to the other person, we’re being selfish and devaluing those we care about. Why can this be such a strong temptation?
Philippians 2:4-5
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
With the elections around the corner, there’s a lot of heated discussion around the best way to move forward. Everyone has their own perspective, but it seems like no one is willing to see anyone else’s perspective. Seeking to understand first also allows us to see the other person’s perspective.
What is the Holy Spirit saying to you about these scriptures?