Proverbs 18:13
“He who answers a matter before he hears it, this is folly and disgrace to him.“
Ouch! I’ve been there, and you probably have too. We answer before we’ve truly heard. The other person is still speaking, but our reply is already loading, waiting to fire the moment they pause for a breath. Proverbs calls it folly, and it often leaves us embarrassed.
But silence isn’t just about avoiding embarrassment. It is also about caring. When you give someone your full attention, you tell them they matter. Most people listen only long enough to reload. Few truly listen.
Trust is not built in our words. It grows in the quiet space where someone can finally feel heard and understood. A compassionate pause tells someone you are absorbing their thoughts, not just calculating your reply. That kind of patience is a quiet form of love.
Prayer: Lord, quiet our rushing tongues. Teach us to listen well and love without hurry.
I’m Lonnie Davis, and these are thoughts worth thinking.