How to Win Friends & Influence PeopleSample

Day 3: The Art of Listening and Empathy

Scripture: James 1:19

Quote: "The best way to win an argument is to avoid it." - Dale Carnegie

Listening is underrated, and the Bible gives us the cheat code.

James 1:19 instructs us, "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry."

Crazy to see another Dale Carnegie quip right here in the Bible.

Again, I can’t emphasize enough the POWER of God’s Word.

Imagine what your life would be like if you invested as much time into your Bible as you did scrolling social media on your phone or streaming TV.

WHOA - THAT WOULD BE CRAZY.

Let’s check out the story of Job's friends in Job 2:11-13.

When they heard about Job's suffering, they came to comfort and console him.

For seven days and nights, they sat with him in silence, listening and empathizing with his pain.

Although they eventually offered misguided advice, their initial act of simply being present and listening to Job's anguish demonstrated the power of empathy.

In your relationships, do you practice active listening and empathize with others' emotions and experiences?

Instead of rushing to offer solutions or impose your own opinions, what if you sought to understand the needs and feelings of those around you?

By doing so, you’ll not only foster deeper connections but also create an environment of trust and support.

I want to give you a couple of questions to reflect upon:

How can you practice active listening and empathy in your conversations with others?

Are there situations in your life where you could have been more understanding and empathetic?

Why do you feel the need to argue? What is the root cause of it?

How much energy are you wasting simply by engaging in things that don’t matter?

Before you power through this devotional - take some time and dig into this.

If you want different results, do different things.

You have the power of Christ living in you. Anything is possible.

I know you can do it.

It’s your turn to make it happen.