“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” — Romans 12:15 NIV

There is a powerful lesson here in the art of effective communication and it’s acknowledging people’s feelings. People are emotional beings who are emotionally driven. We are drawn toward others who make us feel good and we tend to avoid those who cause our feeling meters to bottom out. So when it comes to effectively communicating with someone, the best thing we can do is to acknowledge their feelings. We don’t have to agree with them or fully understand them, but a few words to let them know that we know is important.

In a conversation it’s easy to say something like, I see that upsets you or I’m sorry that makes you sad or I am so happy for you. People just want to be heard. If you could honestly identify the single most need of others it would be the want to be listened to. People are starving for others to listen to them. If you want to effectively communicate with others, listen. Stop trying to control time with your words and just listen.

It’s an example set by God. All He has to say to us is written in the Bible so now He is focused on listening to us. So let’s do the same for others.