Say What?

At my our Wednesday night Bible Study the teacher said something that whacked me over the head.

“Unsolicited advice is criticism.”

What? Don’t friends give advice all the time?  Sure. How many times do we say what we think without being invited? I’m trying to learn to listen without interrupting even if I have an opinion (and I normally do).  I have found that long swallows of liquid help to subside the mouth from flying out of hand.

Beware if you hear…. “What do you think?  Just be honest with me, I can take it”

This is a warning sign that she is so not ready.  If she were the Lord would have told her already.  Maybe you should take a long drink, say a silent prayer and then speak slowly.  God can give you the words even if they contradict what you really want to say.  A good phrase is, “What do you think?” Then she’lll give out some more information and give you time to listen and pray.  Is she seeking truth, agreement or someone to re-focus her anger on?  Listening is a tool  I’m just now learning to use.  I practice at Bible Study, for those of you who know me it’s funny to see because i sit with one hand to my face and a finger or two over my lips to give me another milli-second to catch myself from interrupting !