Hear Joy?

            Have you had your Joy Juice today? Listen carefully and you might hear “joy” bubbling forth!

            We know that listening and hearing are not necessarily the same thing.  We can hear someone talking to us, but we have to be intent on listening and comprehending their words. 

            When in a group, do you feel uncomfortable when the conversation goes silent? My friend and author, Karen Ehman, is a self-proclaimed “gap-filler”.  I guess that’s why we are friends, because I fall into that same category.  A gap-filler likes continual, easy conversation… no lulls…a steady stream of words….even if it’s just rambling noise.   

            The gift of gab can be great at times, but it can sometimes lead to irritation, annoyance and even conflict. In James 1:19-20, he tells us “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.”  Notice that James included ‘anger’ in that passage…along with being “quick to listen and slow to speak”.  Why?

            “Speaking too soon combined with not listening leads to conflict; and conflict often leads to anger.” ( Karen Ehman in Keep It Shut)

            Let’s spread joy….by being “quick to listen” and “slow to speak”.