PLAN OF THE DAY
I will recognize my emotions and be careful how I react. My mindset is my choice.
READ JAMES 1:19-20
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (ESV)
Frustration
You just finished hanging a difficult spool and it doesn’t flange up. The engineer jumps all over the foreman about the quality of his work. Turns out the drawing was revised during fabrication. The engineer walks off embarrassed and mad. The crew is left hanging and the work isn’t done.
James gives us the foundation for communication: two ears, one mouth. We should use them proportionally. When things go wrong, we often flip that ratio. What if the engineer took ownership, parked their frustration, listened to the crew and sought out the condition causing the mismatch? Rework would be required but trust would be built. The work would be done safely and correctly. The lesson would be learned and future problems avoided.
To perform like a Master Builder, you must recognize and manage your mindset. Acknowledge your frustration. Stop to listen. That’s how you do good work and find the righteousness James talks about.
Faith in Action
Witnessing through our work means living these principles where we stand. Here is how you can apply this devotional today:
For the Laborer and Apprentice: Repeat It Back
The Action: Be slow to speak and quick to hear. Prove you heard your task by repeating it back. Listen, repeat, confirm.
The Witness: You model active listening. You demonstrate the ability to be trusted and the capacity to advance in the ranks.
For the Journeyman: Count to Five
The Action: When a helper makes a mistake or a tool breaks, count to five before you say anything.
The Witness: Use this shortcut to demonstrate to your team how to stay focused when things go wrong. It’s a hard lesson but one a craftsman has to learn to be part of a high performing team.
For the Foreman: Listen, don’t reload
The Action: When the team asks a question, take the time to listen. Don’t form the answer in your head while they are talking. Listen, don’t reload.
The Witness: Positive mindset starts with you. It is the foundation of leadership. By actively listening, you lower the cost of speaking up and build trust with your team.
Prayer
Father, help me manage emotions. Anger creates more problems than it solves. Give me the discipline to pause and listen before I react. Help me to create an atmosphere around me where truth can be spoken without fear. Let my words build up and protect, rather than tear down. Amen.
This was much-needed today. Timely reminder.