“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).
Much easier said than done. But here’s a helpful tip: Every conflict comes with a backstory—a chance to understand each other better, grow closer, and connect on a deeper level. But the way we handle it makes all the difference. You know how we might say, ‘What were you thinking?’ when we’re upset. We’re usually not really asking what someone was thinking—it’s more of a frustrated jab. That kind of tone shuts the other person down instead of opening them up.
If we want to hear the real story, we’ve got to drop (or at least suspend) the judgment and come at it with curiosity. It’s about creating a safe space where someone feels they can truly share what they were thinking and what was behind it. When we do that, we’re not just resolving the argument—we’re also learning more about each other and building a stronger connection along the way. Again, easier said than done, but even the effort makes us better listeners and slower speakers.
Something to take just a moment to consider today.
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