Proverbs 19:20
“Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.”
The following quote from an unknown author speaks profound truth: “To be a ‘safe place’ for others, one must have an open heart and a closed mouth.“ At the midpoint of our marriage, my husband and I discovered a communication strategy. When I come to him with a problem I am dealing with, he asks this question so he can listen appropriately, “Are you looking for sympathy or a solution?” Many times, all I need to feel better is to voice the problem out loud, get a big bear hug from him, and move on. Other times I really do need his advice and am eager to hear his viewpoint.
This strategy works with friendships as well. We all want to be given an opportunity to be heard but, when the shoe is on the other foot, do we have a problem being a good listener, or do we have a tendency to dominate the conversation? Are we guilty of interjecting a quick response, offering solutions rather than sympathy?
A more serious breach may involve a betrayal by a friend we trusted with what we assumed was a confidential conversation. It is said that betrayal is the most common reason for the death of a friendship. We must always remember that, invariably, people will let us down, but Christ never will. Therefore, our faith should be in Him and not in any man or woman. Nevertheless, we all crave a safe, sheltering friendship, a place to share our emotions without being judged, a place to cry it out, a place to join together in prayer, and a friend who is Jesus with “skin on.” We desire a safe place to leave these things, entrusted to a sheltering friend who will not allow confidences to go any further, one who is trustworthy, to whom we can say anything without worrying that the information will be turned against us. Let us be known as sheltering friends who incline listening ears to hear, extend secure hands to hold, speak affirming words to lift up, and offer faithful prayers to the Father.
Heavenly Father, we praise You that because of our faith in Christ, You consider us Your friends. Thank You that You are the One who will listen to us, answer our prayers, and never betray us. Thank you for in Christ we have the perfect sheltering friend in the storms of life. To You we lift our praise. Amen.
I am honored that you have read my devotion today, and pray it will be an encouragement to you and will bring glory to God. To receive Devotions For All Reasons in your email every day, go to the homepage and simply click on “Subscribe.”
