Helpful or Hurtful?
Helpful or Hurtful?
“For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.”
2 Corinthians 1:5
Is what you do or say, helpful or hurtful?
Sometimes what we say can be both and it’s usually just the manner in which we say them.
I have been known to be too direct at times.
In a previous career I worried more about the timeliness of a message than the delivery. I learned over time that I could get the same message across without the ripping and dynamic tone.
We can say the same things in many different ways - it’s our thought that will determine how it is delivered. Where we place the emphasis of our thought will transcend into the delivery. Our delivery is the most important thing in our message.
If we don’t think about what we say, the message can get the point across, but not much else. It’s not the message that remains, it’s how it was delivered that is remembered.
Ever think about the way Jesus taught and how he delivered His messages?
Our hurtful delivery can have a lasting affect. And so can our helpful delivery.
I often wonder when I read a reply to a social media post or to a forum question, does this have anything to do with what the person asked or posted? Is the response being helpful, or is it hurtful?
Sometimes people just like to talk to hear themselves talk. The substance of their response has little or nothing to do with anything that was originally asked or displayed. Is this really helpful?
Sometimes people are just rude. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not thin-skinned, but I don’t like someone that lacks verbal discipline or the finesse to respond in a way that is helpful.
It takes more craft during a debate, conversation or response to skillfully respond in a helpful way than it does to respond in a way that is condescending and hurtful.
Your helpful response will have a lasting impression on those that you are communicating with.
My wife and I joke, usually when she is driving, if I am being helpful or hurtful when I attempt to assist her. I make a horrible passenger.
The way we respond should have the result of the response in mind, but should focus more on the delivery.
“Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable. And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.”
Matthew 15:15-18