We mostly focused on the scripture that Elder Zwick cited in his talk from Paul: “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but [only] that which is good [and] edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
I think most often corrupt communication comes out of our mouths around those who we love the most (our husbands, parents, siblings, children...), because they are around us most often and we aren't necessarily trying to make a good impression on them all the time. However our lives would be so much better, and our homes more peaceful if we tried to speak (especially to those we love the most) with integrity, empathy, and without being too quick to anger.
Shelly came up with an awesome list of 10 things to help us communicate better with each other:
- Pray to have God's love
- Learn to control your tongue
- Reason together
- Break the cycle (of arguing the same things over and over)
- Speak softly and calmly
- Develop compassion
- Seek first to understand
- Be kind over being right
- Search for truth in other opinions
- Breathe before speaking
I especially like number three because that is the main way my husband and I solve most of our problems. Neither of us ever really have much of a temper but we do occasionally get frustrated with each other. Rather than avoiding the problem, it helps us to come together and objectively talk about the situation until we figure out a solution that works for both of us. Open, honest communication is so important and it has really helped us to draw closer together as a couple.
Looking at the list again, all of those points are important in their own way. Which ones have you tried that have worked in your marriage or communication with others?
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