Just Listen👂

It can be extremely hard for someone who is going through something embarrassing or traumatic to come and speak to someone about how they are feeling. In some cases, they are too ashamed to share what they are going through. They will bottle it up and act out in anger or fall into a deep depression that never fixes anything. In some cases, it will lead to a miserable life or even death. Being in and out of recovery homes dealing with drugs and alcohol, I’ve heard many stories, and opening my ears to listen to and feel what these people are going through truly helps me understand them better. I have friends that love to speak before you even get your story entirely out. Ones that force their opinions on you, telling you how exactly to fix your problems because it worked for them, and other friends that pretend to listen, but you can tell they’d rather be anywhere else, but there is that moment. There are friends also that pretend to listen, just nodding their heads and saying “uh-huh,” “yeah,” and “wow.” The coolest ones and ones that genuinely care about you, however, are ones that, when you look into their eyes, are filled with compassion and empathy. They are following along with the story and maybe ask questions along the way to understand your situation better, but mainly just sitting quietly absorbing everything. They will most often cry during the story’s telling or at the end, at least in my case. They will also wait, on occasion, after the story to respond as if waiting for the Holy Spirit to give them what needs to be said instead of quickly providing an answer to hear themselves speak. It can be hard to find these people but they are well worth the wait.

I have three friends now who have this remarkable gift, but it took me a long while to find these loving people. If you feel like no one cares, pray. Ask God to place that particular person in your life that has a genuine heart and will listen first. DON’T GIVE UP!!!! I know that it hurts waiting, but don’t give up. In the meantime, talk to God and ask different questions about your situation. Come at prayer another way than usual. Instead of asking God to remove your anger, ask if He will place some happiness in your life. God bless you all in your journey.

Dear Lord,
I want to be that kind of friend to people. Help me share the love, compassion, and kindness of your Son Jesus with the world. As the Holy Spirit leads me to listen, pray, and wait until the Holy Spirit tells me to speak, I will be helping others to find you. Our God that heals our physical bodies and our spiritual walk with you. Thank you, Lord, as the song say’s; to be like Jesus, on earth I long to be like him. I ask to be more like Him. in Jesus’ name, Amen.