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| [Jesus said,] “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” |
| —Matthew 11:28 |
Every person needs someone to listen to them. One of the reasons why so many people idolize their pets derives from the fact that they can speak to their pets, even pour their hearts out to their dogs or cats, and the pet offers no disagreement or argument. Of course, the pet offers no advice either. But, that doesn’t seem to matter to most pet owners.
Some people seek the help of a professional counselor, who will listen to them describe their innermost thoughts and feelings. Sometimes the counselor may offer advice. In many cases, the counselor simply listens and guides the individual toward self-discovery. In either case, the person receives assistance because he or she has someone to listen to them.
Ideally, in a marriage relationship, each spouse can speak to the other partner in the relationship and pour out his or her heart in a way that brings healing. Sadly, in far too many marriages today, this kind of intimate listening does not take place. This is one reason why so many marriages today fail. For whatever reason, the partners do not take the time to carefully listen to each other in a non-judgmental way.
In the Scripture verse at the beginning of this blog post, the Lord Jesus Christ welcomes those who belong to Him to come into His presence and set whatever burdens them aside, so that He can take that burden and help them carry it. Jesus is the very best listener. He is patient beyond comprehension. He always has our best interest in mind. He offers the best advice.
This is why it is important to set aside time each day to talk to God in prayer and read His written Word. This two-way communication gives us the ability to bear the burdens that afflict our lives.
It is also helpful to find a fellow believer in whom we can place our trust and share the struggles and victories in our lives. This believing friend can give us the kind of attention that we need to struggle with and overcome the negative forces that attempt to unwind our lives. It also gives us someone with whom we can share the many good things that God brings into our lives.
This day, be certain to spend time talking to God and reading His written Word. And, find someone you can truly trust with whom you can share your joys and your sorrows.
