Karen Jantzi, CPC, CMEC
It's our nature to want others to listen to us, but its also important that we become great listeners if we want to be a blessing to others. God can use a great listener to change the lives of others.
People have come to me all my life to share what is on their heartrs. Mostly their hurts and troubles. I think that is because God has called me to serve in this capacity in the body of Christ. It started as a teenager and just continued on in my life as I got older. I had to learn how to handle my gift though. I was co-dependent and Satan used that in my life for a long time as people would weigh me down with enormous problems and I would become overwhelmed with their hurt. It was not until God began to teach me how to truly help others without taking their pain upon myself that I could truly be used of Him.
Over these years, I've observed six traits of people who are good listeners and I'd like to share them with you........
Proverbs 4:25 ESV
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
NO. 1 - FOCUS
I am a type A person. For years, if I was in conversation with you, my mind would be truly focused on what I would be doing an hour from that moment. I would hear you, but I really didn't listen. It wasn't always like that, but as my life became very complex and heavy, this became my norm.
It wasn't until after the Lord stopped me in prayer one day and said "Hey, Karen. I send people your way for a PURPOSE and you aren't really seeing them. From now on, here's what I want you to do - Look them in the eye! Don't think about anything but THEM and why I have put them there. As you speak to them, pray and ask me what I want you to pass on to them. Ask me what they need and I will show you. Each one of them is there because I will it so."
That day changed the life of this Type A person forever. I had let the cares of this world weigh me down to the point I didn't really hear what people said to me. I was too focused on MY HURT to hear them. I would smile, but my heart was elsewhere. I stopped it that day and things changed. I haven't been the same since.
When you listen to someone, FOCUS in on them. Not yourself. Make the moment about them. Don't do a mental to-do-list as you talk to them. Pray in the spirit if you have that gift as you speak to them. Give them your attention and your heart. Be concerned about the needs they are sharing with you.
God uses attentive listeners who love Him and love others!
PRAYER: Lord, teach me how to focus in on who people really are as they speak to me. Help me to truly care about their needs and ask how I can serve them in Your Name.
Treasuring You in Him Always,
Karen
Karen Jantzi, CPC/CMEC is the Founding President of Treasured Woman and the CEO of HAVEN Coaching and Consulting. She has a passion for helping women find a permanent sense of self-worth and value through living in the authority and love of Jesus Christ in their lives. She has been a business owner and executive for over 20 years and enjoys helping women bring life to their dreams of owning a business. As an author,, blogger and speaker, Karen shares her life changing story with women across the nation with the hope that they too will turn to Christ and live a life they treasure. Karen lives with her husband, is the mother of 5 and enjoys life on the Yough River not too far outside of Pittsburgh. You may contact her at 407-687-5988 or [email protected]