Seek to understand before being understood

Am I speaking too much? Am I speaking before I think? I like this saying, "Seek to understand before being understood". There are no shortcuts to receiving good understanding. Time and patience is needed. So how do you get this? Is there a model we can follow? Mine is Jesus Christ. The writer of Proverbs shows us this kind of behavior and Jesus exemplifies it very well.

Proverbs 28: 14

Happy is the man who is always reverent,

But he who hardens his heart will fall into calamity.

The chapter continues the comparison of the wicked and the righteous. How ill gotten gains will be lost, while the righteous will be victorious in the end. However there are 2 verses that jump out at me.

Verse 12 says, "When the righteous triumph, there is great glory, but when the wicked rise, people hide". There is peace and stability when a righteous man rules or is in charge. Verse 28 says, "When the wicked rise, people hide themselves, but when they perish, the righteous increase". People will naturally be leaning towards people who follow after God's ways. Jesus being God is the greatest example of this.

Father, let me follow your example in how I should listen, think and speak.

Reflection from February 17, 2016:

What does this mean to me today? I don't know. There is so much wickedness around me. Temptations are great and I have to ask God continually for wisdom and strength. Are people hiding? Are people afraid or not prepared to do what is right? God help me to stay right with you and continue to pray against the wickedness around me. I know you will deliver us and then the people shall rejoice and the righteous will increase.

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