Listening, Healing and Hope.

As I was going through my devotional today and its readings. I truly was struck by how God looks at our character, and those who influence us around us. Then I was led to a devotion that considered the ministry of healing, and our ministering to others in a way to pray and give counsel to heal those lost or hurting in life.
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In one way God wants us to avoid and be careful about the swindler or whoever influencing our life unfavorably, but he also wants us to reach out and be a listening ear that can constructively point them to a better life. Amen.

Listening is an art that must be developed.… It needs the full and real presence of people to each other. It is indeed one of the highest forms of hospitality. Why is listening to know through and through such a healing service? Because it makes strangers familiar with the terrain they are travelling through and helps them to discover the way they want to go.… Healers are hosts who patiently and carefully listen to the story of the suffering strangers.
Henri Nouwen, 1932–96

Wilkinson, A., & Cocksworth, C. (Eds.). (2001). An Anglican Companion: Words from the Heart of Faith (p. 87). London: SPCK; Church House Publishing.