What are they really asking?
I saw this great article on Christianity Today’s website about why people ask spiritual questions. The article says that it’s important to look at the heart of the person asking the question, rather than at the question itself. 9 times out of 10 they’re not looking for more information, but relief from uncertainty, fear, and pain.
This struck a cord with me. I love debating and can get really stuck in the nitty gritty of some theological conondrum. Perhaps I’ve been missing the forest for the trees.
Click here to read the article.
June 29th, 2007 at 3:14 am
Great thoughts if this leads us to truly listen to people and build relationships more often. Hopefully we won’t have a group of people going around and not listening to the initial question in hopes of finding the real question.
I think the heart of it for me is that we need to take personal interest in the questions and frustrations and joys of peoples lives. For any encouragement that points in that direction, I’m glad.
June 30th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Each of us can apply this truth. Often I have not heard the heart of the question, as I have formutlated my response.
June 30th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
Too true. I find that I often am so involved in winning the “argument” and being right, that I formulate my answers in my head when I should be listening to the person speaking to me.
July 2nd, 2007 at 10:16 am
For me, this all too true and important. Well put thoughts. It’s often after the fact that I realize I’ve tried to fix or change someones perspective under my own authority. These people, though, simply want to share. They want me to listen (tough for me).
Then God might decide to use me to help others come to a better understanding about the things that perplex them and leave them in the bondage of confusion. Thanks for sharing this article.