Listening and hearing.

There is a difference between listening and hearing.  You may be listening to what someone is saying, but are you really tuned in at what they’re trying to tell you?

Listening, by definition, is the ability to accurately receive and interpret messages in the communication process.  It’s key to effective communication between people.

Listening means you hear what the person isn’t saying.  This is called empathy.

When you have empathy for someone, you’re listening without interruption.  You’re listening for fears and feelings.

Biblically speaking, true empathy is the feeling of fully participating in the suffering of another.  It also speaks in the bible about how we should cast all our cares upon God.  Because He cares for us.  God is the leader in the empathy department.

Take time to truly listen to someone’s story today.  Show them you care.  Listen for what they’re not telling you.

Empathy is understanding the emotions, situations or attitudes of another person.  Start this process by loving them.

Take time to listen today.

Romans 15:2 – “Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.”