Be Quick to Listen

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 

God is asking us to pay close attention to Him.

Everyone. should be quick to listen.

Actively listening to our friends, family members, and neighbors.

Then biting our tongues.

And taking our time to respond.

Asking God to direct our words.

Slow to speak.

Slow to become angry.

All in the Lord.

Be Quick to Listen

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 

James calls us his brothers and sisters.

We are brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

As such, we should be quick to listen.

That's not always easy, but it is what God calls us to do.

And to think before we speak.

Taking our time before responding.

Perhaps asking God the best way to respond.

And taking a deep breath or going for a walk instead of getting angry

Understand This!

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters! Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger. — James 1:19

It's sometimes hard to listen to the people around us.

Even when we care about them.

They can sound like so much noise and it can be easy to tune them out.

I may want to speak over them or interrupt them.

But God calls me to listen first.

He commands me to bite my tongue and stifle my anger rather than letting emotions get the best of me.

My mom used to say, "I just bite my tongue until it's bloody" so I don't speak too quickly or at all.

Very good advice.

Be Quick to Listen

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,  because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.  — James 1:19-20

Today I went hiking with some friends.

We had a beautiful day and everything was going well.

Toward the end of the hike, after almost 3 miles, Greta rolled her ankle.

She hobbled on for a while.

Then Kelly offered to give her a piggie back ride.

We headed to the road, resting often to give Kellie and Greta time to rest.

Two guys stopped by to give us their bottle of ice water to help Greta's ankle.

At the road, a ranger met us and drove Greta back to her car.

Other than that mishap it was a fun time.

We had a chance to meet new friends and catch up with old while keeping a safe distance.

Walk Humbly

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. — Micah 6:8

Yesterday I walked a couple of miles, very slowly, as my surgeon instructed.

The sun was out and the flowers were blooming along the way. The day before I went a bit farther but with several stops along the way.

It's hard having to slow down and walk. It's especially hard not being able to exercise or jump rope or hike for a few days, let alone a few weeks!

But at times God asks us to slow down and not hurry through life. It's hard to slow down. And it's hard to be humble. My pride keeps getting in the way.

Fortunately, God is forgiving. He loves me even when I mess up. I am grateful.