Moving from waiting to talk toward hearing the heart of God and others
The infographic I reflected on today outlined the 5 Levels of Listening:
Waiting to Talk (Self-focused) — Quiet, but only because you are planning what to say next.
Hearing the Words (Distracted) — Picking up parts of the conversation while your attention drifts.
Understanding the Message (Focused) — Hearing not just the words but their meaning, listening to understand rather than reply.
Recognising Emotions (Empathetic) — Sensing their emotional state and honouring how they feel.
Hearing What’s Unsaid (Fully Present) — Picking up the deeper meaning, the things they struggle to express, and what they truly need you to hear.
Weaving this into a Christ-centred life
The Lord calls us to listen with both heart and spirit.
📖 "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath." — James 1:19 (NKJV)
From self-focus to God-focus: Invite the Holy Spirit before a conversation. Ask Him to quiet the inner noise so you can be present.
From distraction to attention: Lay aside the urge to multitask. Eye contact and gentle pauses create space for trust.
From words to meaning: Reflect back what you heard. “I sense you’re carrying... Is that right?” shows care.
From meaning to empathy: Pray silently as they speak, offering their burden to the Lord.
From empathy to discernment: At the deepest level, listen for what the Father is saying, the comfort or truth He longs to impart.
A gentle challenge for today
Ask Jesus to help you notice where you usually stop. Do you wait only to speak, or do you listen until you can hear what is unsaid? Let each conversation become a small altar where His love is made known.
📖 "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!" — Matthew 11:15 (NKJV)
Listening, at its deepest, is more than a skill. It is a ministry of presence, a way of carrying Christ’s love into ordinary moments. May I grow to be a listener who not only hears but helps heal.
Friday, 26 September 2025
I’d love to hear your thoughts if this story resonated with you! Please take a moment to rate it or share your constructive feedback in the comments below — it means so much. Don't hesitate to share it with someone whom you feel might benefit from it.