A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 (English Standard Version)
We have over 250,000 words in the English language. If we have so many words at our disposal, why do we understand less and less?
Men, we know that you occasionally look at us as if we’re speaking a different language. At least I’m pretending in my mind it’s only occasionally. Ladies, take a good look at these guys you’re talking to. Do they really look like they’re paying any more attention to that fifth chapter of your dissertation where you’re reiterating what you’ve already expressed in the first, second, third, and fourth chapters? Nope, they were gone after suffering through much confusion when trying to figure out what you were trying to convey with your topic sentence, even though you went on with your monologue for several minutes.
Is there a nice juicy steak waiting for dinner? Is there a big buck on your trail camera just waiting for you to see its antlers? Are there fish biting down at the stream? Is there a new email you need to deal with? See, that’s what you were starting to think about, right? You were gone after all that rambling I just did; try to focus for just a few more minutes before heading outside, to the fridge, or to your email. You women were determined to see this post to the end even though your mind might have started drifting too. Am I right? I’m not even sure what that paragraph was saying, and I wrote it!
Sure, there may be a whole bunch of words to choose from when talking, but are you choosing the right ones? Are we speaking to be understood or to satisfy some need in us to sound smart? Hey, someone could have something really important to say, but never get it across because how it’s delivered. I guarantee that repeating something over and over that wasn’t picked up the first time isn’t going to help.
Check it out! Does this work? J’ai froid. J’ai froid. J’a…i f…r…o…i…d. J’AI FROID. J’AI FROID! If you don’t know French, it doesn’t matter how many times I repeat it, how slow I go, or how loud I get, you will not know (unless I act it out) that I’m cold! Yet, isn’t that what we do when we feel that we aren’t getting through to each other?
In the same way that we expect people to speak so that we can understand, we must search out the best way for us to understand someone or something. Let’s take the Bible for example. No matter how much reading we do, if we don’t understand it, sometimes we need to do more than just read it over and over to get it. We need help. The Holy Spirit was put inside us to give revelation in the words written in the Bible. Without that resource, we don’t understand what we’re supposed to be learning. Ask for discernment and revelation!
So many things are out there to help us in understanding the Bible also. There are several translations that might be a little easier to read than the one you have. Get one that works for you. I’ll be honest that I struggle with one that has every other word being “thou” or “thy” simply because I don’t speak that way, so it’s unnatural for me to read that way. We’re supposed to grow in God’s word, not get frustrated and walk away more confused than when we started.
I’ve been learning a language that’s English based, but the people don’t speak the exact way we do. Not too long ago the New Testament was translated into their language and someone said, “For the first time, God talked to me the way I talk.” That’s what I want for you!
Since I’ve been reading their New Testament Bible (which was based from the original Greek manuscripts), I’ve been rewarded with a new understanding due to its clear, straightforward language. Don’t rule out the unusual in order to see growth. Who would’ve thought this is what I’m using for understanding! I know I’ve learned a great deal from my children’s Bible studies too…who knew?
I challenge you to stop doing what doesn’t work! If someone doesn’t understand what you’re saying, say it in a different way that helps who you’re talking to. Next, stop becoming frustrated (or simply tuning out) when a certain type of communication isn’t working for you. Instead of giving up, strive to find another way to understand. Don’t let a blank stare and “Huh?” be your main language.
