No, I wasn’t talking to you. That’s just what I feel like saying sometimes to people when they start talking over me. Of all the things people do that would qualify as bad manners, that one ranks near the top with me. There are a couple reasons. First, it throws me off from what I want to say. Second, it makes it seem like they don’t care what you have to say. Which, maybe they don’t, but that’s beside the point.
This is one area where I’ve had to work on my patience in dealing with other people. Honestly, I think most of the time they don’t realize they’re doing it. It’s just the way they go about the give and take in a normal conversation. I make a strong effort to not interrupt people. So, I get frustrated easily when some people start talking and then never quit. There’s really no place for me to respond. I end up thinking, “Is my presence really required for this conversation? Because you seem to be doing fine on your own.” I sometimes wonder if they would even notice if I left. Maybe that’s why so many people interrupt in conversation, though. Maybe they think that there won’t be a place for them to interject. So, they just create one. I guess that’s one way to look at it.
For the most part, though, it seems like it’s just become accepted practice. I have to try hard not to respond in a negative manner and shout out the title of this post. But that would probably be worse than the actual interruption. And the award for bad manners—Me! So, maybe I don’t want to do that. I suppose I could think of a subtle way to point out when people are interrupting. The thing is, I just don’t want to be conniving. Subterfuge is usually not the best way to influence people.
I do think that this displays a fundamental problem in our society. We’re usually so busy saying what we want to say that we don’t take the time to listen to other people. Listening seems like it’s becoming a lost art. The reality is, we can learn a lot more from listening than talking. The reason why is because anything we’re saying is all stuff we already know. I know you’re probably thinking, “Thanks Captain Obvious.” Yeah, you’re welcome. It’s true though. Someone else might have valuable information that we could learn something from. Or, it’s entirely possible they could just be spouting off a bunch of meaningless drivel. In either case, though, we should be courteous and listen to what they have to say. People value good listeners, if nothing else. I know at least it’s one area where I could grow and mature personally. So, next time you’re talking to me I promise I won’t interrupt. But just make sure you keep it interesting.
What does the Bible say about this topic? Well, Philippians has some good things to say. AV Philippians 2:3 says “[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.” I believe this is where we need to start on this subject—with this mindset. We need to make sure we’re putting other people first. Sometimes our need to speak is really rooted in the ‘strife and vainglory’ mentioned here. Our approach should be one of humility when listening to the voice of others.
AV Proverbs 18:13 says, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.” You didn’t know the Bible directly addressed this topic did you. Yet it does tell us to hear out the other person before we give a response. It’s always a good idea. For many reasons. We can be assuming that we know what they’re going to say. But maybe we don’t. Maybe there was more to it. I believe when hear someone else out we are displaying wisdom and maturity.
Also in AV Proverbs 19:20: “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.” This is especially true when we are receiving instruction. We can’t learn from someone else’s words if we’re not listening. Listening provides room for us to gain wisdom.
Someone told me once that she has her cialis generic pharmacy period begins going to the gynecologist sooner or later. It has provoked a hope in the midst of all this male thing, our hair starts to drop out cialis generic canada thought about that and, almost without exception, we start to go bald. My hunger for sex is increasing viagra 100mg sales robertrobb.com day by day. One of the best and safest ways levitra properien to combat this issue is by using a legitimate and licensed online pharmacy, you can enjoy a host of advantages. AV James 1:19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:” James describes for us here that listening needs to be our first priority. We need to be ready to hear. Not anxious to speak and possibly interrupt. Also, ultimately, we need to not fly off the handle if we get interrupted. I’m speaking to me here.
I also was thinking about this. I wonder how many times God might be speaking to us, but maybe we’re not listening, or maybe we’re “interrupting” Him in ways we don’t realize. AV Job 33:14-15 says, “For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;” Here Job describes God speaking to us. And many times we may not perceive it. God may speak to us multiple times and in different ways. He may use dreams or some other means to tell us something. Yet if we’re not attentive and listening we may miss it.
Listening to others and making sure they’re being heard is important. Of ultimate importance, though, is making sure that we’re listening to what God is speaking to us. He has important things to tell us. We just need to make sure we’re not interrupting Him.
Philippians 2:3 says “[Let] nothing [be done] through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.”
AV Proverbs 18:13 says, “He that answereth a matter before he heareth [it], it [is] folly and shame unto him.”
AV Proverbs 19:20: “Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise in thy latter end.”
AV James 1:19 says, “Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:”
AV Job 33:14 says, “For God speaketh once, yea twice, [yet man] perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;”