What Did I Do? | Crosstraining 5.5.14

James 1:19-21 Have you ever tried talking to someone when it was clear they just weren’t listening? They may be responding with a friendly nod as they are looking at their phone or a courtesy “uh huh” as they are looking at or thinking about something else. It can be even more frustrating when they respond in a way that has nothing to do with what you were saying. We can be guilty of this as well in conversations were involved in when we aren’t paying much attention when someone else is talking, we are just coming up with what we are going to say next as the other person is saying their piece. When it comes to arguments or fights we are in with others and our spouses, we don’t typically listen very well. The Bible tells us we are to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. If we would follow God’s commands when it comes to how we argue, we would have much more productive arguments. The problem is that we often get this completely backwards. We are slow to listen, we speak quickly, and we will fly off the handle immediately. When it comes to following God’s instructions of being quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry, how do you do? Are you patient and listen to what the other person has to say before getting angry or giving your opinion, or do you quickly get upset and escalate the argument?]]>