EMPOWERING LIVES WITH PURPOSE:
Respectful communication is a key in leadership. Serving in a ministry with all women has its challenges when it comes to communicating but it’s a continuous learning process with God’s help to be the best communicator when it comes to serving and helping others.
“Recognize the value of every person and continually show love to every believer. Live your lives with great reverence and holy awe of God.” (1 Peter 2:17)
Let’s look at some patterns in our lives to help determine how we come across in our communications with others.
-Do you listen when the other person is talking, or do you monopolize the entire conversation about yourself and what you feel or what you’ve done?
-Do you allow others equal input into a conversation with you? Or are you pushy to have your own questions answered first and get your own points made?
Do you maintain confidence?
Do you openly share your own struggles and needs so others can pray for you, showing them you are human and make mistakes too?
Do you provide the space to allow others the freedom to have their own opinions without judgment from you?
We all need to practice our communication skills for the sake of being a great witness for our Lord.
We all have good advice, we all have words to share as women, but to maintain an equal balance in a conversation takes skill. Are you practicing this skill to strengthen it?
Try praying before you communicate with people or have phone conversations. This may sound silly, but honestly, if you ask the Holy Spirit to go before you and your conversation with another, He will. Then commit to God at the beginning of the day to be a better communicator with others, He will help you. (even with your spouse or children)
God wants your words to be heard. But sometimes it’s difficult to have others pay attention if you are the only voice ever being heard. Give others a chance to speak. Then truly LISTEN to their words back to you. Be a great listener! Even if you don’t agree, give them the respect they deserve to share their thoughts. You may have more and more people coming your way for advice.
“…Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak…” ( James 1:19)