I went to a Biola Apologetics conference this last weekend, and one of the speakers made the point that we have become an Argument Culture. He even had a video clip of Geraldo Rivera and Bill O'Reilly screaming at each other. Honestly I couldn't even tell you what the topic was. I was too enthralled in the fight they were engaged in. This was just two days ago, and I can't tell you what it was about, but I can tell you what I saw.
Have you ever been in a situation like that? I have. Each party is so convinced that they are right, they don't even need to listen to the other. Tempers flare, and voices escalate. At that point, all logical thought goes out the window. I tell my friends that I cry on only two occasions. First, when physical pain is so bad that I can't stand it, and second, when I am trying to speak and the other party won't let me speak. In my house growing up, debate was a sport. To this day, there are people that will hear two words and jump in over the top of you. No rules, equals no communication. No respect, equals no understanding.
Try taking a step back. Learn to see things from the other party's point of view. See what I see, and hear what I hear. When I first tried this I heard, "I don't know what you see." Yes you do. Stop talking and listen. Don't just listen to argue, listen to hear, and to understand. That's what Christ did.
When God created the world, he gave us the Old Testament as a guide. He gave us prophets and the ten commandments. But then He gave us Jesus. Someone who not only came to communicate with us, but someone to listen. Someone to hear and understand. Someone who loves us to this day - because He understands.
So next time you find yourself in that boat, try to be the bigger person. Take that first step back and see what happens. Let the other person talk, and then have your turn. Learn to see what they see, and hear what they hear - and expect the same thing in return.
Think it.
Dream it.
Do it.
And encourage each other on the way.
Until next time:
Peace to you and yours,
#BibleComesAlive
Have this blog delivered right to your Kindle!
Tweet me @LorettaLea
#jclc #Sinclair
#JesusChristLifeCoach
#JesusIsMyLifeCoach
Re-Inventing the Impossible
~Lori
Loretta Sinclair
Sinclair Publishing
http://www.SinclairInkSpot.com
http://www.SinclairInkSpot.com/Jesus-is-my-life-coach
Jesus is my Life Coach!
Have you ever been in a situation like that? I have. Each party is so convinced that they are right, they don't even need to listen to the other. Tempers flare, and voices escalate. At that point, all logical thought goes out the window. I tell my friends that I cry on only two occasions. First, when physical pain is so bad that I can't stand it, and second, when I am trying to speak and the other party won't let me speak. In my house growing up, debate was a sport. To this day, there are people that will hear two words and jump in over the top of you. No rules, equals no communication. No respect, equals no understanding.
Try taking a step back. Learn to see things from the other party's point of view. See what I see, and hear what I hear. When I first tried this I heard, "I don't know what you see." Yes you do. Stop talking and listen. Don't just listen to argue, listen to hear, and to understand. That's what Christ did.
When God created the world, he gave us the Old Testament as a guide. He gave us prophets and the ten commandments. But then He gave us Jesus. Someone who not only came to communicate with us, but someone to listen. Someone to hear and understand. Someone who loves us to this day - because He understands.
So next time you find yourself in that boat, try to be the bigger person. Take that first step back and see what happens. Let the other person talk, and then have your turn. Learn to see what they see, and hear what they hear - and expect the same thing in return.
Think it.
Dream it.
Do it.
And encourage each other on the way.
Until next time:
Peace to you and yours,
#BibleComesAlive
Have this blog delivered right to your Kindle!
Tweet me @LorettaLea
#jclc #Sinclair
#JesusChristLifeCoach
#JesusIsMyLifeCoach
Re-Inventing the Impossible
~Lori
Loretta Sinclair
Sinclair Publishing
http://www.SinclairInkSpot.com
http://www.SinclairInkSpot.com/Jesus-is-my-life-coach
Jesus is my Life Coach!
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