Friday, April 9 Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak.​—Jas. 1:19.

[Áine]

Friday, April 9

Everyone must be quick to listen, slow to speak.—Jas. 1:19.

 

When dealing with a distressed person, are we a good listener? It involves more than staying still and saying nothing. We can show sympathy and tender compassion while listening. At times, a few tactful, warm words may show how we feel. You might say: “I am so sorry that happened to you!” Perhaps you could ask a question or two to make sure you understand what the anguished friend is saying. You might ask, “Can you please help me understand what you mean?” or “When you said that, I concluded . . . Did I get it right?” Such loving expressions may assure the person that you are truly listening, trying to make sure that you understand. (1 Cor. 13:4, 7) Be careful, though, to remain “slow to speak.” Do not interrupt to give advice or to correct the person’s thinking. And be patient! Rather than trying to provide solutions, we offer sympathy and tender compassion.—1 Pet. 3:8. w19.05 17-18 ¶15-17

[Vinnie]

Can you tell who is distressed and who is not? It's easy to see when someone is full of wild talk, but there are others who are distressed and need help to be drawn out because they are the so called strong silent types. Some may be going thru burn out of different kinds in these last days. It's going to take lots of patients and kindness and love to be of help to any who are distressed in these last days.