Quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger, whew, not so easy sometimes.
We’re so thrilled to have found a church already here in St Louis!
The topic in May was on forgiveness, a tough topic for most of us. No matter what has happened in your life, always remember that forgiveness sets YOU free.
I wanted to share the 3rd part of the series with you because I want to ask you to do what Greg, the pastor will ask you to do in the sermon.
Rate yourself 1-10, 1 you kinda stink and 10 you rock, on these 3 things:
1. Quick to listen
2. Slow to speak
3. Slow to get anger
QUICK TO LISTEN
We show humility when we are quick to listen.
When we listen to others, it’s healing, it’s loving, it shows you are paying attention. One of the most important things for all of us is to be understood.
As a life coach, it’s my job to listen and listen well. It’s amazing what transforms when I give my clients the space to be seen, heard and accepted. They feel loved. They feel important. They feel free, because they get to be them.
SLOW TO SPEAK
Whatever is brewing in our hearts comes out of our mouths.
What is your heart saying and feeling? What words are coming out of your mouth? Love and compassion or irritation and impatience?
SLOW TO ANGER
It’s ok to be angry, as long as we don’t sin in anger.
Is your anger about you? If so, it’s not biblical. Venting leads to more of the same.
The real root…fear. What are you afraid of? Are you afraid to feel, not be in control, trust, fail, not be liked, etc.?
These are all connected. As we’ve talked about many times. Our thoughts affect our words and our words affect our actions.
Thoughts = Words = Actions
I challenge you to work on the area you’re not so great at.
Mine use to be anger, but now seem to be slow to speak.
I’m realizing silence, reflection, or a pause is good. I don’t need to respond quickly because someone expects me to or because I want to defend what’s in my heart.
In fact, I need to take a deep breath and check in with my heart before I speak, if I decide to speak. And ask myself “What am I feeling right now?”, “Why do I feel this way?”, “How will responding help?”.
Then I remember and reflect on these verses…
James 3:118 “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
Psalm 29:11 “The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.”
Romans 12:18 “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Psalm 85:8 “I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.”
1 Peter 3:9-11 “Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. 11 They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it.”
What would the world look like if we all lived like this?
Will you take the challenge?
Will you take the time over the summer to work on one of these 3 things?
You don’t have to share below but if you’d like to, go for it. Getting our darkness out into the light is how we heal. It’s how we move forward with hope and expectation. It’s how we grow and live a fuller, deeper, richer life.
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.” – James 1:19
Enjoy the sermon from The Crossing.
Shine On,
Ali
