Sometimes I’ve Been Quick to Speak and Slow to Listen
By: Anne Peterson
Today’s Bible Verse: 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
It happened again. Instead of taking time to listen and respond kindly, I spoke in haste and reacted poorly.
When we are quick to speak, we don’t have a chance to hear what the other person is saying, and more importantly why they are saying it. When I am quick to answer, I react instead of responding with grace. God tells us to be kind and compassionate to one another and to forgive each other (Ephesians 4:32). But when we’re quick to speak and slow to listen, we don’t care how soft our words are, we just shoot them out.
It didn’t take long for God’s Spirit to tell me I was wrong. I knew I was. But my pride tried talking me out of apologizing. After all, what about what my husband said? Wasn’t I justified? I knew I wasn’t, but my feet were stuck in that pride.
I’m glad God gives us free access to his throne room, 24/7. We are not put on hold. We don’t have to worry that God won’t answer us when we send up a quick prayer. Our God is available and he graciously tells us to call on him. As Peter called out to God when he was slipping under the water and God responded (Matthew 14:30-31), God also responds to our calls for help immediately.
When we are quick to listen, the people who speak to us can tell we value them and what they have to say. People can often be impatient with others in this area. Everyone wants to know they matter, and that their words have merit. When we rush others, they feel insignificant. How do I know this? I’ve experienced it, and sadly, I have been impatient at times with those I love.\
Jesus always took time with those who spoke to him. Even when people brought children to Jesus so he could pray for them, and the disciples rebuked those people, Jesus told the disciples to let the children come (Matthew 19:14). Every person is valued by God, even little people.
God works in our lives from the moment we trust in Jesus and what he did for us on the cross. Paul was confident God would complete the work he had started (Philippians 1:6). We are all works in progress. And sometimes we look unfinished. But God keeps working on us, nonetheless. Little by little, we are becoming like Jesus.
The day I was impatient, I eventually swallowed my pride and approached my husband.
“I was wrong to say what I did. Will you forgive me, Mike?”
And he did, again.
We need to submit to God’s nudges and let go of our need to be right, or whatever else we’re holding onto. When we release our grip, we’ll see God work in ways we never imagined. May we learn to be quick to listen and slow to speak, especially with the Lord. And may we open our hands so God can teach us all the things he wants us to learn. And then we’ll look like Jesus.
Open Your Hand
What is that you are holding in your hand
in your fist that is closed ever tight?
What is that you are purposely keeping from me,
for you feel that you have the right?
Don’t you know as you grow
in your walk with me,
I can see even things that you hide?
Oh if you only knew what’s in store for you,
you would open your hand so wide.
- Anne Peterson © 2020
Reflect on today’s verse with us. Share your thoughts in the Your Daily Bible Verse discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/YakobchukOlena
Related Resource: Praying Through Psalms 60: Victory in Hopeless Ground
What do you do when the battlefield stretches in every direction, and it looks like God Himself brought the defeat?
Join Jaime on the Praying Christian Women Podcast for a devotional on Psalm 60 — a raw, honest lament born out of being surrounded on all sides, where David dares to say You did this, God — and still picks up the banner and calls Him Lord.
Jaime unpacks the historical backdrop of David fighting enemies to the north, east, and south all at once, and shares a breathtaking story from her years near Death Valley — where barren, salt-crusted flats that look permanently dead suddenly erupted into a once-in-a-century bloom of purple wildflowers. Sometimes the victory is already buried right beneath the most hopeless-looking ground, waiting for God's rain to bring it to life. If this episode helps you navigate life with prayer and intention, be sure to follow Praying Christian Women on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
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