Communication

You would think that in today’s world, and the several methods of communication, that people would be able to communicate well. For some reason though, people are unable to hold meaningful conversation. One might ramble, the other snaps at something said, one might not be listening, or someone might be completely misinterpreting what is being said. It might be that one might just not want to know or they just hear only what they want to hear. Regardless, communication suffers.

The biggest problem is that everyone seems to be subjective. No matter how objective one might try to be, people still only want to see their point of view and never attempt to see the bigger picture. This results in minor misunderstandings to complete breakdown in communication. These breakdowns in communication result in many possible unresolved and unfortunate events ie: friendships ending, family feuds, introverted personalities, built up anger, disappointment, hurt, depression, etc. It also causes walls to be built that further complicate the communication methods even the more.

I believe the subjective, “All about me…”, “What’s in it for me…”, “Tell me what I want to hear…” type of listening, whether it be purposely done or unintentionally done, it is a very dangerous skill to possess. In fact, these things if done with a pretense, or in a meditated manner, while one portrays to be innocent of these motives, can be hypocritical of that person. They, like a person at a masquerade ball, have placed a mask on their meditated and subjective goal for the conversation and are hiding what they really are or what they really want the end result to be from that interaction.

When one steps back from their agendas, hang-ups, or erroneous communication skills, and begin to hear and see things in a more objective manner, then the communication level begins to develop into more meaningful content. It allows the walls to come down, it removes any false pretenses and it gives the ability for two or more people to not only have a meaningful conversation but also the ability to resolve any conflict or mend any issues that are unresolved.

Phillipians 4:8 says “Finally, my friends, keep your minds on whatever is true, pure, right, holy, friendly, and proper…”

I believe that scripture, compiled with John13:34, helps people keep an objective mindset and reduces much misunderstandings, miscommunications and breakdowns in the communicative effort. I further believe that if a vertical communication is constant with God, then a horizontal human communication will be constant and objective and done all in Christ like manner.

When one has done their best to be forthright and honest with their communication efforts, yet it seems it was all for naught and their words falls on subjective ears and in turn their good might of been evil spoken of, then we can remind ourselves with what 2 Corinthians 6:8-10 says: “We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.”


I leave you with this thought....


Lines of communication might break down, but that does not mean they have to forever remain broken.