Join me in a study on the Proverbs: God’s Wisdom for Today. As you read through the Proverbs, I urge you to reflect, pray, and apply these devotional bits of encouragement and wisdom to your own life. Today, we study and reflect on Proverbs 18.
Reflection
We live in conflicted times. Very few take time to build bridges of respect and understanding. Many live in their own echo chamber. Others have created a narrative that they work hard to perpetuate and push out those who don’t agree. Others still are closed to anyone who has a different viewpoint, regardless of the subject. We tend to write people off really quick these days. Few take time to understand other people, other opinions, the other story. Yet, Jesus took time with people. He listened. He cared. He respected. He loved. He built bridges and did not burn them. Taking time to listen means you care. Taking time to try to understand someone and their story shows respect. Do you need to talk less and listen more? Does someone in your family need to know you care? Who in your circle needs to feel your respect? Who can you build a bridge to today? You don’t have to agree with someone to care for them. And you don’t have to see eye to eye on everything to respect someone. Try a little listening. Take time to understand.
“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” – Proverbs 18:2