This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God. James 1:19-20
Have you ever written an email and then deleted it on purpose? Sometimes we just need to vent our frustrations and anger. I am grateful for the people in my life who are gracious to hear my rantings, then they gently redirect me to more productive communication and understanding. I love Steven Covey’s advice in his book 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Seek first to understand, then to be understood. Often, I am trying to hard to be understood, without first understanding.
Do my words and actions produce the righteousness of God? After all, this is the test of effective communication.
God, thank you that You sent Jesus to make Your message of love and forgiveness clear and compelling. You demonstrated that You are quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger. He is our righteousness! He is my righteousness. Help me do the same.
