Are you really communicating?

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. (Ephesians 4:29 NLT)

"The two words 'information' and 'communication' are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through." (Sydney J. Harris)

We all have tried to communicate with others, only to find what we thought we were getting through to them was actually 'lost in interpretation' somewhere along the way. They come away feeling confused, frustrated, hurt, at a loss. You thought you 'got through' only to find you added fuel to a smoldering fire or set up things for a doozie of a fight somewhere in what you were saying. Words have an impact, but God asks us to use them in such a manner so as to be helpful, encouraging, and in some way so that what is said is actually heard.

I daresay that most of what we consider to be 'communicating' is nothing more than sharing information. Sometimes it is the same information repeated, just in a different way. At others, it is new information that needs to be shared, but it isn't the right timing for that information to be effective in reaching the other individual. Either way, the information is put out there for another to hear, but if their heart isn't ready to hear it, it will not have the right effect. The more we interact with others, the more we will realize there is a real 'art' to this communication thing!

Perhaps one of the greatest things we can do is to stop for just a moment to ask God to help us with what we need to say. We actually open the door to a different 'method' of communication when we invite him into our conversation. It isn't just us speaking - it is him using us to help another in some way. There are times when something just doesn't need to be said, and others when what needs to be said isn't going to be heard. We need his wisdom in determining both 'content' and 'timing', don't we? 

God's hope is that we enter into good communication with each other, building one another up as he speaks through us. The words of encouragement someone needs to hear aren't superficial when he takes control of the conversation. They are 'spot on' and have an impact that is meaningful. We don't always know the impact our words will have, but when we invite him to help us with our communication, we are doing much more than just sharing information - we are sharing words that bring life, ignite hope, and drive a person forward.

We cannot underestimate the power of our words. They can be much more powerful when we allow his Spirit to use them for his glory and honor, though. Just sayin!