As children we covered hurts by saying: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. But they do. We perceived physical punishment to be natural, but words didn’t spank. We learn that they can, when some communication is in. The defense mechanism of a can’t-hurt-me response may work to a degree, if we are mature enough to remember that much of language is used without serious thought (casual words we can manage or defuse) and, without mutual meaning between sender and listener. If we are sophisticated sufficiently well with language, we know spin may be put to meanings. So the analysis might be extended relative to semantic problems. Common language can heal and/or hurt.
One of the signs of a thoroughly furnished mind is careful management of words. When language is more than easy repartee, or casual for passing experience, one is wise and careful to find clear meaning of words exchanged and remembered. I want to be ready, through preliminary preparation for meaningful communication – to wonder what the listener may interpret by my words and mien, so to process my meaning or direction. We like to be in the same room talking to each other with non-judgmental questions and natural tones. It is a means of saving time, feelings, and efficient moving forward for serious communication. It stimulates better relationships, solves problems, and advances the objectives of individuals and society. It saves relationships, between family members, neighbors and strangers. It advances business, by focusing on concerns without fear of personal collision. So the story plays out in other contexts. Communicators, with a smile, may need to halt the conversation and start anew, even pointing out the reason for shifting. The very stumbling, and restarting may break down barriers. Jesus followed this pattern commonly, asking questions. No one gave more answers than Jesus, by asking questions. The procedure is evidence of respectful relationships, a basic factor for effective natural life.
Several articles have appeared recently for me, relative to physicians, patients, and health treatment. All other factors being equal, physicians who talked, with empathy, to their patients, informing the patients on a truthful prognosis, saw more significant improvement in the health of their patients, than for those who did not include treatment through communication and empathy. The patient informed in a caring manner about the next step in the person’s medical history, improved, not only in health, but in living context. Even if the concept referred to impending death, patients accepted the physician’s message with better orientation for their end days. This kind of story can be extended in almost any situation one might suggest, such as in the employee/employer context of activity to solutions. Recently several terminated employees, treated as ciphers by employers, have rampaged and killed colleagues and employers.
So we do well to carry over the communication procedure into other contexts than the experimental mortal ones. God is willing, Isaiah so well informs us, to talk about our concerns. Answers to our questions are almost always met with questions. We gain that direction through the language of Scripture, and from others. God is with us, whether alone or in a group and has an ear for believers and unbelievers. He hears language context in prayer, when we mean it in the spirit (truth) of prayer. It will not qualify as the best of our prayers as if we were talking to a bully, feeling beaten up, and angered. We do well when we use the best tools of communication with God. That includes: a devout spirit (that begins at least with respect that leads to humility); a confidence that love is important (in the balance of all that is related to life, and is significant to the nature of God); a belief that all things are monitored through the Holy Spirit (to the will and work of God); and, to a belief that the answers are vouchsafed (as verified in Scripture). Those who know this process feel: Amen. God offers considerable margin to mankind. Although we must treat him as God (he can’t deny himself), he reciprocates by treating human beings for what we are – a creation. We are imperfect, uninformed, human (a physical animal afforded a soul/spirit capable of fellowship with God). We long to be right, true and humane. Here is where mankind often plays the fool, by forming the circumstances on which we will admit God in life on our terms. God will determine the criteria for our fellowship in righteous communication. Choose it or lose it from Scripture. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020