Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. James 1:19, KJV 

I am sure we’ve all been there—our schedules packed and thoughts racing as we move from one task to the next. We speed through the day at full throttle and often miss the moments that give us life or give life to others. Can you relate? 

When the new year begins, it usually starts at a manageable pace. But soon, lesson planning, meetings, and my high schooler’s practices and events begin to fill every spare moment. We often eat on the run and speed through everything—eating, talking, driving, even thinking. It’s exhausting. 

Recently, the Lord impressed this thought upon my heart: I need to take heed of being swift to hear and slow to speak. As I began to pay attention to this principle, I realized that in my busyness, I was missing what others were trying to say. 

This became especially clear during a conversation with a student. He asked to step into the hall because he needed to talk. The class was working quietly, so it was a good time to pause. But instead of slowing down and listening, I heard the first part of what he said and then jumped in, finishing his thought so I could respond quickly. My agenda was the focus—I wanted to get to the expected end. 

Later that evening, still moving at a fast pace and feeling frazzled with a short fuse, I heard a message on the radio about this very thing. It stopped me in my tracks. I knew I needed to speak to my student and apologize for not truly listening. He had trusted me to hear his heart, and I had hurried past it. 

From that moment on, I’ve made it part of my day to pray and plan to slow down. When a student asks to speak with me, I whisper a prayer: Lord, help me to open my ears and slow my mind so I can be fully present—with this student, my child, my husband, and others. When I think on these things, God fills me with peace, and I’m able to share that peace with those around me. Where can you downshift today—at home, school, or in your thoughts—to make space for God’s presence and peace? 

Dear gracious and loving Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Word that shows us how to live—to slow down and listen, speak with care, and walk in a way that pleases You. Strengthen us, Lord, to live this truth each day. Amen. 

Copyright Tonie Weddle.

Tonie is a Christian Educators member and a language arts teacher in Kentucky.