Find Hope in God's Unfailing LoveSample

Love Looks, and Love Listens

“Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19 (NIV)

Healthy relationships don’t just happen. Relationships are what you make of them. If you put in the effort, you can learn the skills and wisdom to build great relationships, regardless of what they’ve been like up until now.

The highest form of love is focused attention. Anyone can strengthen their relationships by learning to pay attention. When you give someone your attention and focus—when you look at them and listen to them—it’s like you give them a piece of your life.

Your time is your life because you’ll never get it back. That’s why the most loving thing you can do for someone is to pay attention to them. When you stop to listen and share, you’re saying, “I care about you.” You’re affirming their value as a person and showing that you respect and accept them.

In his Word, God gives a recipe for the kind of listening that makes a relationship grow. James 1:19 says, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (NIV). Love looks, and love listens. As you do this, you’ll keep your relationships growing strong.

Show you care by giving your attention to the people God puts in your path today.