Kathy Ireland - Let Your Heart Be Heard

Kathy Ireland- National columnist for Christian Living magazine-"...finding solutions for families,
especially busy moms."

 

Let Your Heart Be Heard

By Kathy Ireland

 

As you move through your busy life, are you being heard? Are the issues that live in your heart being expressed to your friends and loved ones? Scriptures tell us God doesn't want us to be silent or small. He wants us to speak out on things that matter.

Being heard does not mean being unkind. It doesn't mean speaking out in anger. It certainly doesn't mean being rude. Being silent on issues that are at one with God's plan for our lives is unfair to us and to our faith.

                                                                                                                             Why do we stay quiet? Fear? Too often, we silence ourselves because of a false belief that our voice doesn't really matter. We think, They won't pay attention to me. Does how I feel really matter? If they find out how I really feel, they won't like/love me. Living and speaking the truth is powerful and important. It has been said that all that is needed for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.

We know Jesus always spoke out against injustice. As scary as it may be, we must follow His example. Let your heart be heard today. What is the issue that you're facing and swallowing in silence? For too many years, I refused to speak out...even when my heart was telling me to do otherwise. That was cowardly and wrong. When God is with us, who can be against us?

 

Overcoming Criticism

 

            A critic once said I had a voice that could kill small animals. That cruel remark hurt my shaky confidence. I knew my voice was high and soft, and that joke merely confirmed my fears. Years ago when I worked as a model, my job was to shut up and pose. Some people thought I did my job well. Now, I fear I did the first part better than the second.

            Today, my goal is to have my voice-however shaky, however soft-heard by being obedient to Him. I just have to remember to honor my faith when I speak from my heart.

 

Speaking with Love and Kindness

 

When we approach discussions from a place of love and kindness, it's much easier to be heard. Of course, there are moments when people aren't excited about our comments. That doesn't make them any less important. We must choose our moments carefully. Delivering a heartfelt message at a moment when someone is unable to hear it will not be powerful. Choosing the right situation in which to speak up is critical.

            However, please don't allow waiting for the right moment to turn into procrastination. It's rare to find a "perfect" moment to share what a loved one might receive as criticism. Remember: our hearts need to be heard, but we also need to listen....with love.

Honesty with compassion is key. Speaking honestly, kindly and powerfully will ease anxiety and help nurture genuine relationships. Please ask yourself the following question and give it sincere thought and a truthful answer. How many times have I regretted not speaking up? There are situations in which silence is an enemy.

            We must recognize that words can be hurtful to others. As children, we heard, "sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can never hurt you." How untrue! Scripture tells us words can damage the heart and soul.

Please let your heart be heard, but be careful that the words you use are not breaking someone else's heart and soul. As Christians, we have a special obligation to use language that lifts others rather than condemns them. We must speak up with the intent to heal rather than to harm.

 

Growing in God

 

For far too long, I remained a baby Christian. I went through the Bible picking and choosing what I felt applied to me. Today, as I grow in faith and through Bible study, I lean on His word more then ever before.

For those of you who are interested in specific scriptures that influence my feelings, please e-mail me at kathyirleand.com. I will make every effort to respond. I love dialog between people of faith...and challenges from those who have no faith. When it comes to my column in Christian Living, please let your heart be heard.

 

Allowing God to Be in Control

 

            Personally, I have the best results when I let God be in control, especially when there is something on my mind that stirs up my emotions. I know I need to pray. When I pray and ask God to give me the wisdom to know when to bite my tongue and when it is time to speak, I ask Him to give me the words-particularly in difficult situations. 

When I use my own words, I can turn a bad situation into something much worse. When I allow Him to give me the words, it is amazing! I know when this happens...it's very obvious when it is His words...the outcome is entirely different. God is glorified when we speak the truth from a heart of love.

 

Love,

 

Kathy