How is your 2020 going?
In case you hadn’t noticed, we’re in the midst of a very interesting year. Not only are we still sorting out everyday life in the middle of a global pandemic, but we are living through a polarizing election year. Throw in some growing social unrest and 2020 is a year many people would rather go back and do over again (or fast-forward through to a better reality).
This has been a hard year for many people and the emotional and mental strain is bubbling to the surface of our society. It seems we are living in Survival Mode and the way we interact with others at times is a reflection of that. The new norm for cultural discourse seems to be: “Slow to listen, quick to speak and quick to become angry.”
All it takes is a quick glance at social media, the constantly turning news cycle, and political debates to see the complete embrace of the slow to listen, quick to speak, and quick to become angry mantra.
It’s easy for each of us to join in the cultural current of today. People are stressed and fatigued. Mental health is an ever-increasing challenge for many people. How do followers of Jesus keep from being swept away by the river of loud and angry discourse?
In the book of James, we’re reminded:
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, James 1:19 NIV
Is there any instruction that seems more counter-cultural in our world right now?
When faced with the onslaught of attacks, opinions and constantly changing facts that come at us from all directions, James reminds us to do 3 things that separate a follower of Christ from how the rest of the world responds.
Quick to Listen
When we hear or see something that causes us to react emotionally, we can easily be slow to listen. However, when we intentionally choose to listen first, we won’t instantly write off the person who is communicating something. Listening gives us an opportunity to hear the heart behind what they are saying and the context they are speaking from. It is very rare that people feel genuinely heard. As followers of Christ, intentionally listening to someone shows care for them as a person, even (and maybe especially) if we disagree with what they are saying.
Slow to Speak
We live in an instant reaction world. Everyone seems to be racing to be the first to weigh in on something. For most who want to be the “news-breakers” of our day, it often doesn’t even matter if what is being said is even true or right. Being first beats being right. In addition to needing to be first, many feel the need to be the loudest. If you’re quicker and louder than everyone else, you’re the one who is heard. Unfortunately, the need to be first and loud can undermine our credibility and alienate us from other people. If being quick to listen is one side of the communication coin, being slow to speak is the other side and lovingly puts them ahead of ourselves.
Slow to Become Angry
We are living in an explosive time. Too often, as a culture, we react to what is happening or being said with anger, and the reaction to that reaction is competing anger. Before long the whole world is chronically angry. It’s cyclical and can easily spin out of control. So how do we break the cycle of anger reacting to anger? Proverbs tells us,
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 NIV
Intentionally choosing a kind answer breaks the anger cycle. Conversely, a harsh word only stirs up more anger. When we are slow to become angry, we change the course of the conversation 180 degrees.
If you’re a follower of Jesus, you have signed up to living a counter-cultural lifestyle. Following Jesus means saying no to the patterns of this world and yes to living the things Jesus taught and lived. Living this way shows the power of the gospel as Jesus replaces our old nature with a renewed nature, and it’s through the power of His Spirit within us that we can daily live out these counter-cultural commands.
There are still 2 months left in 2020. We don’t need to surrender to the idea that 2020 is a lost cause. The current of our world will try to pull us further into slow listening, quick speaking, and quick anger. Would you pray today for God to work in your heart and help you be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry?
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