As a counselor, mentor and coach
this practice can be especially challenging for me.
As a result, I am continually asking Jesus to form
His will to listen well within me.
I don’t think I’m alone in this…

The one I am with starts talking:
“Can I tell you something?”
and almost immediately, you feel it.

The urge to respond.
To relate.
To help.
To fix.

You think of something similar that happened to you.
You think of what you might say to make it better.
You think of what they should do next.

And before they’ve even finished,
part of you has already moved ahead.

You want to show up well.
You want to be helpful.
You want to offer them something meaningful.

But sometimes, what someone needs most
is not an answer.

It’s to be heard.

Fully.
Without interruption.
Without being redirected.
Without someone else stepping into the center of their story.

And that kind of listening
doesn’t come naturally.

It’s formed.

As you’ve been walking with Jesus
you’ve been experiencing what it feels like to be listened to.

Not rushed.
Not corrected mid-sentence.
Not met with immediate solutions.

But met with presence.

Seen.
Known.
Held.

Over time, that begins to shape the way you listen to others.

You become less focused on what you’re going to say
and more open to what is actually being shared.

Less focused on fixing
and more willing to stay.

This is reflecting.

Not offering quick answers
but offering space.

Not stepping in
but staying with.

And in that space, something meaningful happens.

People feel seen.

Scripture Reading

Let these words settle into your heart slowly.

James 1:19 NIV
Proverbs 18:13 NIV

Pause and Reflect

Take a few moments to sit with what you noticed from Scripture. You may want to journal or reflect quietly. You might consider:

When someone is sharing with me, where does my mind tend to go?
Do I find myself interrupting, fixing, or redirecting?
What helps me stay present and truly listen?
How have I experienced being deeply listened to by someone else?

Soul Care Practice – Listen Without Interrupting or Fixing

This week, we practice listening.

Not listening to respond
not listening to solve

but listening to understand.

Choose one conversation each day to approach differently.

As someone is speaking:

Let them finish their thoughts.
Resist the urge to interrupt.
Resist the urge to immediately relate it back to yourself.
Resist the urge to fix what they’re sharing.

Instead, stay curious.

You might ask a simple follow-up question.
Or reflect back what you heard.

If you feel that internal pull to jump in, just notice it
and gently return to listening.

You might quietly pray:
“Jesus, help me hear what matters.”

This is not about becoming a perfect listener.
It’s about learning to stay.

Carry It With You

As you move through your week, notice the difference between hearing and listening.

One moves quickly.
The other stays.

And when you catch yourself rushing to respond, don’t be discouraged.
Just return.

Listening well is something that grows over time
and even small shifts create space for deeper connection.

If you try this this week, I’d love to hear what you notice. You can share in the comments or join the conversation in the Mindful Mondays Facebook Group.

Keep walking with Jesus as you learn to listen the way you’ve been listened to. I’ll meet you back here next Monday.