We have all heard that “communication is key” but what are the keys to good communication?
What makes communication break down in the first place? I remember hearing a radio talk show many years ago, a man was describing how he and his wife had two totally different views about how you take care of a sick person. He was down with a cold, and asked her for some orange juice, she came back with what he thought to be a thimble full, and his expectation of a big tumbler full was unfulfilled. The two were raised differently, one with small glasses of O.J. being left alone to sweat it out, the other being pampered with lots of juice, soup and attention. Case in point, communication is not just words, and it is also important to note that whatever it is, goes through a sort of prism of our own personal experiences, thought processes, and communication styles.
What goes out of our mouth, hits the ear of the hearer, goes through the filter of their point of reference, bents, insecurities, etc. and they take it the way they do according to that. Each person has their own filter. What the difficult task is , is to be completely vulnerable in exposing our filters to the people around us, so they understand our communication styles. This of course includes our insecurities, anxieties, fears, opinions etc. My husband grew up in a large, loud, Spanish speaking family. They all spoke over one another, and nobody took it with any offense. I, on the other hand, grew up in a family where you didn’t communicate at all, and children were to “speak when spoken to” ” seen and not heard”. No noise at the dinner table etc, so when I first experienced my husband loud talking, I thought he was angry with me, and broke down crying. He and my children to this day speak with passion, a bit loud, but I understand this to be their style. They on their part, speak to me with a softer tone, and try to be mindful of my need for a less robust conversation.
How do we find the best way to speak to each other? I tried to think of the best communicator of all time, and of Jesus, it is said: (John 1:1)” in the beginning was the word, and the word was with God and the word was GOD….and vs 14 and the word became flesh and dwelt among us” The very word of God, came to earth and became a man so that we would know how to live in this world amongst each other in a bond of love and in humility.
In the book of John, Christ used the term ‘ Verily, Verily I say unto you’… no less than 18 times. In one book! When a word is spoken twice, it means listen carefully. I think we have to take notice of this first off, as he knows our propensity to listen with only half of our attention. We need to be sure that the person is really taking a hard listen if we have an important thing to impart to them. Don’t expect them to be listening intently to your heart felt outpourings if you don’t get their undivided attention first. Also notice, we may need to repeat ourselves.
Jesus spoke to the disciples, and crowds in Parables ( stories which teach lessons ). Jesus used things very familiar to the people around Him to paint mental pictures so that they would understand the things He was trying to impart to them. Many times, we need to find a thing that our spouse, or child, friend etc. can relate to, and use that to paint a picture of how something may be affecting us, or maybe what we may need from them. Whether it is using children’s toys or a husbands computer program, or car engine, golf game etc. There is a way to ‘story tell’ so that making a parallel using that imagery will help them connect with you. Reading the Parables will help understand what I mean here.
Jesus said we are the salt of the earth, from what I have read about this, Jesus being a Rabbi, would have understood that sacrifices and blessings were made with an application of salt. Salt was used to preserve, to purify, to bless, and to flavor. When we communicate anything to one another, let us keep in mind, that we are called the salt of the Earth, which should heal one another, and purify, when one is in the wrong, salt will draw out the poison of sin ( in 2 Kings 19 Elisha threw salt into the poison well to heal it, and turn the water sweet) apply the words of restoration to them in love = salt, Blessing = salt we should be blessing each other by actions, and words, every day, without fail. Jesus is our example, and He gives us all we need to carry out loving one another in this way… ” Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
He has given us the key, He knows us- each one of us Intimately, our very hairs are numbered, he knows our hearts, our failings, and the things we have endured. We can trust that He will give us the wisdom to use the keys He has given us to lovingly, communicate with one another. As we desire to do what is in the best interest of the people we love, We can’t go wrong in seeking Him for guidance and wisdom in the process.
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