When People Aren’t Listening

I got in my car, turned the key and sighed. My emotions and body were tired from the meeting. I knew I should have been smiling, feeling refreshed after an evening by myself. Instead I felt let down.

When I got home, I replayed some of the conversations from dinner with my husband, trying to figure out why a productive, God-led meeting felt like a let-down.  Was it the nature of the new friendships? Or was it because I wasn’t doing things right? Was it an underlying attitude they had toward me?

My mind went back to the week before.  Every time I close the door to say goodbye to my Bible study girls, I’m smiling. Why? Because I know these girls understand me.  We’ve shared our struggles and joys over the course of several years. They hear me.

So when I left the meeting the other day, I realized I was feeling a little disappointed because I wasn’t being heard. All of my ideas were very kindly dismissed. They were just ideas, and not even great ones! It was no big deal, but I felt the seeds of disappointment taking root in my heart. Watered by my pride, those seeds threatened to disrupt these new friendships. My pride wanted to believe my ideas were A-mazing, and what is wrong with those people to not accept my ideas?

My husband cautioned me, Don’t let this one meeting taint your entire friendship.

Is my entire life about being accepted for everything? My life has a lot to deal with right now. I decided to not feel disappointed because I wasn’t ask to be a bigger part. God has a different yes for me.

Are friendships worth sabotaging so I can be heard? People (and God’s Word) are the only thing eternal. My ideas are not eternal. The opinions I have will not be remembered. Relationships are more important than being right. Encouraging others in their own ideas is so much better than taking over so it can be done “right.”

My relationships are more important than being right.

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Do I trust God? Even if my ideas and suggestions and help are never wanted or accepted, is that ok? It has to be. When I trust that God is working for my good and His glory, I can be ok with never being heard. If my good means I sit on the sidelines with nothing to contribute, but an encouraging spirit, then so be it. I can trust God because He loves me more than my ideas.

I love all of the girls, in both groups, to pieces. And I value their opinions, and I’m learning to step back from being the leader and learning to follow. It is humbling and takes just as must effort to sit back and not do anything than it does to be the one in charge. God calls us all to be servants. Whether we are a leader or cheerleader, we are servants.

Whether we are a leader or cheerleader, we are servants.  

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I’m so thankful for a heavenly Father who is always listening. When those around me aren’t listening, I go to Jesus. He is always listening. And He is faithful to speak truth to my heart.

“Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.” Ephesians 3:12

If you are struggling to feel heard by those around you, I want to encourage you to find our Heavenly Father is listening. In fact, I created a special One-Day Devotional on How To Know God is Listening. Get your {{FREE}} copy here!

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