Duct Tape

James 1:19 NLT
Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

So often we can be so quick to respond to someone we don't even hear all they have to say. We are formulating our response while they are continuing to try to communicate with us. The result being never quite understanding what they had to say. So our response sometimes can even be way off target.

No matter what someone has to say to us we have to be careful not to react to their words instead of responding to them. I remember my mother telling me to count to ten before saying anything. I am not sure where that saying originated, but they were words of wisdom.

The more listening you do, the better conversationalist you are. Most people are not looking for a debate. They want an ear to hear what they need to say.

I don't know about you, but there are a lot of things I can fix using duct tape! One way to stop someone from talking is to use it to tape their mouth shut. Only kidding. But how about praying for some spiritual duct tape the next time you have to be with someone that seems to draw out reactions from you?

Keep that mouth closed and listen closely to what they have to say. Encourage them with your quiet response. Show them the love of God they deserve for He tells us to love. May they walk away feeling that love and filled with the peace of God that you brought with you.