Every leader has weaknesses. We’re all human. Even the Apostle Paul referenced weakness. We don’t know for certain what the Apostle Paul’s weakness was in 2 Corinthians 12 but he did identify it as “a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me” (2 Cor. 12::6-10). The wording leads us to believe it was a physical issue, many speculate blindness.
Perhaps we aren’t told what his weakness was so we don’t zero in on that and miss the real point. The Lord told him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
God gave him the power, the strength, to rise above it.
God’s Grace Helps Us Rise Above Any Weakness, Like the Inability to Truly Listen
If God’s grace was sufficient for a weakness the Apostle Paul labeled as a thorn in the flesh, certainly it is sufficient for whatever our issue may be — even an inability to truly listen.
But, let’s be clear. An inability to truly listen certainly differs from something like blindness. Blindness, for most people, is not due to any fault of one’s own, like the man born blind whom Jesus healed (Jn. 9:13-34). In Paul’s case, it was a Satanic attack that God used to display His power. An inability to listen, on the other hand, generally stems from weaknesses due to our old human nature, perhaps conditioning, personality, shortened attention spans, etc.
If Listening is One of Your Weaknesses, Identify the Cause and Pull on God’s Grace
Regardless of the cause, the grace that was sufficient for Paul, is sufficient for us as well. It’s the same grace that saved us that “teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12).
Maybe you like to be the center of attention so you tend to monopolize conversations rather than listen. Even when you’re quiet, you may be thinking about what you’re going to say rather than truly listening even though God’s Word says “to answer before listening – that is folly and shame” (Prov. 18:13). — God’s grace can teach you “to live self-controlled” so you refrain from talking when you should be listening.
Perhaps you’re easily distracted, thinking about all you have to do or letting interruptions or your surroundings pull you away. For whatever reason, you find it hard to keep your attention on what’s being said. — God’s grace can teach you “to live self-controlled” so you focus on the other person, “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” Phil. 2:4).
Or, you might have insecurities or pride that cause you to be defensive in relational misunderstandings or conflict. It blocks you from truly listening to the other person’s perspective. Rather than being “quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19), you jump to conclusions about their motivations and intent and your hurt and frustration turns to anger. — God’s grace can teach you to live “upright and godly lives” that take time to lovingly and patiently listen instead of giving a dysfunctional response.
Whatever the cause, God’s grace helps you do what you struggle to do on your own.
All Posts about Listening Skills:
- Start by Listening to God
- Getting Others On Board Starts by Listening
- Listening, A Core Element of Body Life
- Why We Start by Listening to the Lord
- Why Listen to Others
- Jesus Actively Listened
- Christ-like Listening Communicates
- If Listening Doesn’t Come Naturally
- Is Listening One of Your Weaknesses?
- Listening Enhanced with the Help of the Holy Spirit
- Praying According to God’s Will Begins & Ends with Listening
- Want Someone to Listen?
- Scripture Equips Us to Listen
- Doing Everything in His Name Makes Us Better Listeners