My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:19
To answer before listening—that is folly and shame Proverbs 18:13
I spoke with some clients the other day who really were starting to understand what it is like to truly listen to one another. The woman in the relationship even remarked, “Before, we were listening to be able to respond to the other. Now we are listening to understand one another.”
What a great insight and statement. When we begin to start to formulate our response to another, we have stopped listening and started to respond. It takes a great deal of patience and self-awareness to discern the difference.
But it makes all the difference in the world.
Prayer: Lord, give us the patience to listen before we speak
Reflections of a Counselor 