Others will listen to you if you listen to them first. Others will understand you better if you first try to understand them.
Human nature is to naturally think of self first. We think our feelings are the most valid, the most real, and the most important.
We live on an earth with about 6 billion people, all of whom are equally important as our self. Their feelings are just as real, just as valid, just as important. With so many people we are bound to cross paths with others who offend us, irritate us, or otherwise rub us the wrong way.
Jacob had a difficult message to share with his people. Before he delivered the message he spent a lot of time expressing to them his understanding of how they felt and that he was sensitive to it. When he delivered the message it was consequently received well.
This principle of understanding others and being sensitive to their feelings can be applied to every aspect of our lives and in every relationship. The next time someone offends you or ‘makes you mad’ try it out – reach out to understand them and their feelings first, before you try to get them to understand yours, and you will find a softening of heart as artificial barriers are removed.
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