Listening God’s way helps the disciple to understand another’s perspective. It enables us to truly be an empathic listening follower of Jesus. The New Testament phrases this way of living as “Bearing one another's burdens” and appears in Galatians 6:2, where the Apostle Paul writes, “Share each other’s troubles and problems, and so obey our Lord’s command.” (The Living Bible)
The word translated as bear or carry has a multi-faceted meaning, such as to take up with the hands, to sustain, uphold, support or to carry on one's person to put upon one’s self. No doubt you have heard another argue, “I hear what you say, ….. but!” And in reality they have not heard what they wanted you to say.
This is so unlike the quote I recently read that said, “Empathy—your pain in my heart.” One psychologist put such listening means focusing on listening without planning your response. This keeps us present and allows the speaker to feel truly heard. Second, understand that sometimes listening is enough—don't feel obligated to fix the problem unless you're explicitly. Often, listening, even without taking action is healing.
Listening to others God's way means to actively and attentively listen to people with empathy and understanding, prioritising their needs and perspectives, just as Jesus did, demonstrating love and respect by truly hearing what they have to say without interrupting or judging, essentially putting yourself in their shoes to fully grasp their situation.
Lord Jesus, you were ever ready to listen to those who cried out to you. You gave us ears to hear: help us to hear. May we listen to all we meet, and to those who come to us in trouble. Remind us daily that there is a time for silence and a time for speaking, and show us when to speak and when to hold our peace. Never let us miss a cry for help, because we are too busy talking about ourselves. Make us ready to listen to others, because we listen each day in silence to you, O Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
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