Building Respect Through Empathy and Humility

Devotional

Day 1: Empathy as a Path to Respect

Understanding and validating others' emotions is crucial for earning respect. When we empathize with others, we mirror the compassion of Jesus, who was deeply moved by human need. Empathy involves actively listening and acknowledging the feelings of those around us, creating a safe space for open communication. This practice not only fosters respect but also builds stronger, more meaningful relationships. By putting ourselves in others' shoes, we demonstrate that we value their experiences and perspectives, which can lead to deeper connections and mutual respect. [12:14]

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight." (Romans 12:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: Think of someone in your life who is going through a difficult time. How can you show empathy and understanding to them today, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone?

Day 2: The Power of Thoughtful Communication

Wisdom lies in thoughtful communication. By pausing to consider our words, we avoid rash statements that can harm relationships. This practice aligns with the biblical call to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Thoughtful communication requires us to be intentional about our words, ensuring they are constructive and edifying. It involves taking a moment to reflect before responding, allowing us to communicate with clarity and kindness. This approach not only prevents misunderstandings but also demonstrates respect for others, as it shows we value their feelings and perspectives. [18:07]

"Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." (Colossians 4:6, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a recent conversation where you spoke hastily. How might pausing and thinking before speaking have changed the outcome? What steps can you take to practice more thoughtful communication today?

Day 3: Resolving Conflicts with Integrity

Addressing issues directly with the person involved, rather than gossiping or escalating the situation, fosters respect and reconciliation. This approach follows Jesus' guidance for handling disputes within the church. Resolving conflicts privately allows for honest dialogue and the opportunity to mend relationships without external interference. It requires courage and humility, as it involves confronting issues head-on while maintaining respect for the other person. By prioritizing direct communication, we create an environment where conflicts can be resolved constructively, leading to stronger, more resilient relationships. [22:33]

"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." (Matthew 18:15, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a conflict you are currently facing. How can you take the first step towards resolving it privately and with integrity, following the example of Jesus?

Day 4: Encouraging Others to Reach Their Potential

Encouraging others to reach their potential by focusing on their strengths rather than their weaknesses can transform relationships. This positive approach reflects the heart of God, who sees our potential beyond our current state. By appealing to the best in people, we inspire them to rise above their circumstances and strive for greatness. This involves recognizing and affirming their unique gifts and talents, providing support and encouragement as they pursue their goals. When we focus on the positive, we create an environment where people feel valued and motivated to grow, leading to deeper respect and stronger connections. [25:02]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Identify someone in your life who could benefit from encouragement. How can you affirm their strengths and support them in reaching their potential today?

Day 5: Living with Humility and Generosity

Rejecting entitlement and prioritizing others' needs over our own demonstrates true humility. Generosity, both in spirit and action, is a powerful testimony of God's love and earns lasting respect. Living with humility involves recognizing our own limitations and valuing others above ourselves. It requires us to serve selflessly, putting the needs of others first. Generosity goes beyond material giving; it encompasses our time, attention, and compassion. By living with humility and generosity, we reflect the character of Christ and create a legacy of love and respect that impacts those around us. [32:30]

"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:3-4, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a recent situation where you prioritized your own needs over others. How can you practice humility and generosity in a similar situation today, following the example of Christ?

Sermon Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the profound need for respect in our lives, emphasizing that respect is not only a deep desire but also a fundamental necessity for our emotional and spiritual well-being. Proverbs 22:1 reminds us that being respected is more valuable than great wealth. However, respect is not something that comes automatically; it is earned through our actions and words. We delved into the life of Nehemiah as a model for earning respect, particularly focusing on Nehemiah chapter 5, where he faced internal conflict among his people.

Conflict is inevitable in life, especially when people are under stress or when basic needs go unmet. Nehemiah's story reveals four common causes of conflict: unmet needs, feeling like we're falling behind, insensitivity from leaders, and feeling powerless to change our situation. These causes are still relevant today, and recognizing them is the first step toward resolution.

Nehemiah's approach to conflict resolution provides us with five principles to earn respect. First, empathize with others' feelings. People need to know that we understand their pain and emotions. Second, pause and think before speaking. This wisdom helps us avoid rash words that can damage relationships. Third, try to resolve conflicts privately first, following Jesus' teaching in Matthew 18. Fourth, appeal to the best in people, encouraging them to rise above their current circumstances. Finally, do everything with humility and generosity, rejecting entitlement and putting others' needs first.

These principles not only help us earn respect but also enhance our influence and witness for Christ. As we strive to live like Nehemiah and Jesus, we create a legacy of integrity and compassion that others will remember.

Key Takeaways

1. Empathize with Others' Feelings: Understanding and validating others' emotions is crucial for earning respect. People need to feel heard and understood before they are open to solutions. This empathy mirrors the compassion of Jesus, who was deeply moved by human need. [12:14]
2. Pause and Think Before Speaking: Wisdom lies in thoughtful communication. By pausing to consider our words, we avoid rash statements that can harm relationships. This practice aligns with the biblical call to be quick to listen and slow to speak. [18:07]
3. Resolve Conflicts Privately First: Addressing issues directly with the person involved, rather than gossiping or escalating the situation, fosters respect and reconciliation. This approach follows Jesus' guidance for handling disputes within the church. [22:33]
4. Appeal to the Best in People: Encouraging others to reach their potential by focusing on their strengths rather than their weaknesses can transform relationships. This positive approach reflects the heart of God, who sees our potential beyond our current state. [25:02]
5. Live with Humility and Generosity: Rejecting entitlement and prioritizing others' needs over our own demonstrates true humility. Generosity, both in spirit and action, is a powerful testimony of God's love and earns lasting respect. [32:30]
** [32:30]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - The Need for Respect
[00:46] - Earning Respect
[01:55] - Internal Conflict in Nehemiah
[02:31] - Causes of Conflict
[04:02] - Unmet Needs
[05:19] - Falling Behind
[06:18] - Insensitivity from Leaders
[07:05] - Feeling Powerless
[10:00] - Nehemiah's Trust and Respect
[11:10] - Empathizing with Others
[17:16] - Thinking Before Speaking
[20:16] - Resolving Conflicts Privately
[23:27] - Appealing to the Best in People
[28:33] - Humility and Generosity
[34:45] - Your Legacy and Influence

Sermon Clips

Being respected is more important than having great wealth, but being respected doesn't come automatically. Respect is something we earn. We earn it by the way we talk and the way we act toward others. So today, I want us to look at how to earn the respect of others. [00:38:39]

One of the ways you earn the respect of others is by the way you handle conflict. Anytime there's a disagreement about anything, just be aware that people are watching you to see how you react to conflict. In Nehemiah chapter 5, we see four common causes of conflict and then we see how Nehemiah handled it. [02:08:00]

To earn the respect of others, I must empathize with the feelings of others. If you respect the feelings of other people, they're going to respect you. What you sow, you will reap. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. If you want people to respect you, you must respect their feelings. [11:19:04]

People want to know that you understand their pain, you understand what they're going through. You've heard me say this many times: people don't care what you know until they first know that you care. They want to know that you care first. They want to feel understood first before you come up with any solution. [12:16:48]

Pause and think before I speak up. If you do that, you will be respected. If you speak before you think, you're not going to be respected. This is a mark of wisdom. Nehemiah says, "Then, after I thought it over," so what he's going to do next happens after he's thought it over. [17:16:00]

You must always be quick to listen but slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger cannot accomplish the righteousness of God. Now, we've talked about this so many times, but let's just review it again. We're to be quick to listen, empathetic listen—that's the first way we get respected. [18:58:32]

Try to resolve conflicts privately first. Oh my, this is the third thing that Nehemiah did right. And if we would just do this, you know what happens when you have a conflict with somebody? You don't go and talk to them about it; you go and talk to somebody else about them. [20:18:56]

Appeal to the best in people. If you want to be respected, bring out the best in others, not the worst in others. Don't appeal to their worst instincts. Don't appeal to their fears. Don't appeal to their prejudice. That's what politicians do. They appeal to fears and prejudices and the worst instincts. [23:19:04]

Do everything with humility and generosity. Do everything, everything you do in life. Live a life of humility and generosity. Look at this verse up on the screen: "For 12 years I was governor," Nehemiah ends this chapter by giving a personal testimony. Here's his testimony. [28:33:00]

He rejected a sense of entitlement. As governor, he said, "I was entitled to this, but I made no demands." He rejected a sense of entitlement. He refused all the perks of his office that the previous governors had expected. Now, what is entitlement? Entitlement is a narcissistic personality trait. [31:16:48]

If you're humble, you will be respected. If you're humble, but not only do we see humility in these verses of Nehemiah's testimony, but we also see how he was respected because he was generous. He wasn't just humble; he had a generous spirit, and he talks about how he personally paid for many of the costs of his leadership position. [33:03:36]

You'll earn the trust and respect of others if you work for good. Friends, the world is filled with a lot of bad things. There's a lot of things that are wrong, that are sinful, that are unjust, that are evil. But you will earn the trust and respect of others if you work for good. [35:39:52]

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