8 Keys to Better Communication

Have you ever felt any of the following:  
“I can’t wait to get my point across!”
“I wish they would quit talking so I could speak!”
“I know what to do, why won’t they listen?”
“Why is it so hard to get them to understand?”
“It’s not worth the effort trying to share.”
“I have no idea what to say or even how to say it.”
“Please, just make your point, I’m busy.”

One of the biggest builders of strong relationships is the ability to communicate well. Scott Kersha wrote an article entitled, “Talking is Easy, Communication is Not.”  In his article, Scott shares 10 pitfalls to avoid in order to build a strong marriage.  I’ve taken these and converted them into eight positive ways to better communicate for any and all relationships.
#1.     Don’t just seek to get your point across, seek mutual understanding by getting the other person’s point of view—Proverbs 18:2.

#2.    Recognize negative communication patterns and fix them: Withdrawal or Avoidance; Escalation; Negative Interpretation; Invalidation.

#3.       Honesty is better than conflict avoidance. 

#4.       Communication is an ongoing process not a “one and done.”
a.  Realize saying “I’m sorry” does not necessarily mean the conflict is resolved.
b. Forgiving someone does not necessarily mean forgetting—there may be consequences.
c.  Leave space to resolve issues.  Sometimes it is good to get away from the problem and come back to it.

#5.       Build structure to follow when working through conflict—James 1:19; Philippians 2:3,4.

#6.      Remember timing and environment matter—Pro. 25:11.

#7.       Seek others help to improve your communication (feedback and mentoring).  

#8.       Pray!  God is your source of strength to guide your speaking and listening.  

            George Bernard Shaw once said, “The single-biggest problem with communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” Communication takes thoughtful work. The better we perfect what comes out of our mouths and what comes into our ears the more effective we will be in our relationships.  
 
Meditation
Proverbs 18:21—Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.  
Pro. 23:19--Listen, my son, and be wise; keep your mind on the right course.
 
Inspiration
Communication is the foundation of every great relationship.  Communication builds trust.  Trust generates commitment.  Commitment fosters teamwork, and teamwork delivers results.—Jon Gordon and Mike Smith in You Win In The Locker Room First
 
©2021 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  If you would like to receive these devotionals go to www.firstcause.org and click on the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.      
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)