By Lisa Wilmore
Dear Hearts,
How often have you heard the statement made by individuals, “Do you understand where I’m coming from?” Or, in other words. “Do you fill me?” These statements as well as similar ones suggest that the person who is explaining a situation or just sharing an insight is sometimes desperately seeking to be understood. In fact, they explain their thoughts numerous times with hope that you really “get” it.
During the Thanksgiving Holidays, conversations will happen where persons are either seeking to understand or desirous to be understood. It is perfectly permissible to crave to be understood; however, we must make a genuine attempt to understand.
Do you know that you may sit across the dinner table of family members or friends who need you to understand that they are struggling with something and need you to listen? Do you know that you could be the one person positioned to help a relative or friend because you listened with an understanding heart?
It is important that we “Stop talking and listen”. Not only listen but understand, also. Who knows, your capacity to listen and understand may bring a smile to their faces, or perhaps, save a life. It is so easy to want to be understood but are you willing to understand?
Listen, dear hearts, Jesus understands everything that we encounter in our lives. In fact, before we go through anything, Jesus already knew about it and came to our rescue many years ago. The Hebrew writer wrote, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet he did not sin (Hebrew 4:15 NIV). Our weaknesses, frustrations, disappointments, heartbreaks, and rejections are understood by Jesus. Why? Because He endured and survived everything that we feel and will ever go through. Therefore, as Christians, we must emulate Jesus’ care and concern for us.
Make a special effort during these Holidays to listen and understand rather than to be understood. Yes, the un-Christlike behavior may be disappointing and even shameful. Nevertheless, remember, as Christ loves you, He loves them, also. He did not come to condemn individuals but to understand them and to give them a better hope.
My prayer to God is that whoever reads this message will seek to understand those who we encounter rather than wanting to be understood.
Let us Pray: Lord, thank you for a heart of understanding. As we place our distresses on hold for a minute, open our hearts to understand rather than a desire to be understood. Thank You, for understanding and providing Your listening Ear! In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.
