The Best Listener

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My frustration had reached a really high level.

Can you identify with this uncomfortable emotional state ?

It is a type of anger that results when our needs are not being met.

I felt I needed to talk to someone, to ‘vent’ , to have someone who would understand and comfort me in my distress.

The three best listeners I know came to mind – my husband, my friend Anne and my brother, Michael, but then I remembered instead, the Best Listener, and I decided to talk to him instead.

I went to my room overlooking the sea, closed the door, and spoke to God.

As a new Christian, I thought it was presumptuous when people claimed that they talked directly to God.

Gradually, however, I learned that we can speak to the ruler of the universe, through our faith in Jesus, who has created a bridge between God and man. Talking to God is called praying.

Jesus told us in the scriptures, that no one can approach the Father, unless they come through Him. ( John 14:6 )

Those who believe that ‘there are many paths to God’ would probably find this message offensive, and yet, for love of neighbour, God asks us to share that He is personal and loving , and we can communicate with Him directly, but we need to come through Christ.

I spent a long time that night talking with God, and then I listened, in silence, to the impressions that came to my mind.

I realized the part that I had played in creating my frustrations. I became aware also of the tremendous frustrations that Jesus felt during his earthly life, as He tried to teach proud Pharisees, his often cowardly disciples, and fickle crowds of listeners. Jesus understands frustrations.

Since the day I decided to consult the Best Listener, I regularly bring my concerns to Him through prayer.

My frustrations have decreased, and my peace has grown.

The words of the hymn remind of us a great truth. :

What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear,

What a privilege to carry, everything to God in prayer.

Photo by Sally

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Published by Sally

I am a retired Sociologist/Educator from Ontario. I now live at the very edge of the North American Continent. I spend my time in contemplation, spiritual reading , intercessory prayer, and maintaining a spiritual garden grotto as a place of prayer in my backyard by the Atlantic.

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40 thoughts on “The Best Listener”

  7. We do indeed have the best listener, we often can be quick to talk to someone else but you are right the best is to spend some time in prayer with God first. It also helps us see what we can do to not feel frustrated because it is only our actions and reactions that we can change and no one else’s.

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  9. When you noted that prayer is talking with God, I thought, “Good job, Sally! Remind us how simple it is. So many prayers these days don’t sound like a conversation; they’re more like someone reciting the same poem again and again.

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  10. Great Post Sally! We really do have a great listener, our ruler of the universe. I also love that song, “what a friend we have in Jesus”. We used to sing that song a lot in the church I went to in England. God bless 🥰

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      1. I am glad to know that you are happy despite the difficulties and sufferings of life.Cheer up !You are a child of the mighty God so everything will be okay.God bless.Take care.

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  14. Yes! indeed God is the best listener at all times and very patient when listening. Prayer is about the only key that unlocks every blocked doors, open up every embargoes. Wishing you peace always 🙏

    On Wed, Oct 6, 2021, 19:26 Theology of a Newfoundland Housewife wrote:

    > Sally posted: ” My frustration had reached a really high level. Can you > identify with this uncomfortable emotional state ? It is a type of anger > that results when our needs are not being met. I felt I needed to talk to > someone, to ‘vent’ , to have someone who ” >

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    1. Thanks so much. I remember that my mother-in-law had a tiny key, on which was written : ‘prayer is the key’. Let us indeed keep praying, for It is so powerful. 🤗🌼

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  19. Hi Sally,
    I love your post. It’s probably one of my all-time favorites from your blog.

    Listening is a practice that is sadly lacking in today’s society, but God is supremely good at it, and Jesus, while He walked the earth, was too. I think that’s why He gave us two ears and one mouth, so we can listen twice as much as we talk, if we’ll only DO that.

    I love that we must come to God through Jesus, because it involves all three parts of the Trinity (the Holy Spirit comes into play because He brings to our remembrance what we need to say ~ the Scripture verses, etc., ~ when we talk to God, and when we talk to Jesus; at least that’s how I see it; I could be wrong; I’m wrong about a lot of stuff). John14:6 is one of my very favorite verses.

    I think I’ll stop rambling now… Like I said, I love this post! I hope I didn’t go too far afield with my meanderings!

    Blessings, Sarah

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    1. Thanks, so much, Sarah, for your kind and insightful comment.
      I agree that prayer involves all parts of the Trinity.
      John 14:6 is one of my favourites too.
      For sure, we can only come to the Father through Jesus, and yes, I agree with you, the Holy Spirit brings to our mind what we need to say.
      Peace and blessings to you. 🌷🌼

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