3 Life Habits that Enhance Our Communication Abilities

Do you ever feel like you have nothing to say? You stare into your blank computer screen knowing the deadline for a sermon, article, blog or book looms closer. You want to communicate but just cannot bring yourself to strike the first letter on the keyboard.

Having the desire to make a difference with our communication is not the problem for most of us. The reality is sometimes we just don’t have anything inside the reservoir of our souls to tap into.

I would like to suggest 3 Life Habits that Enhance Our Communication Abilities, but first consider the following verses…

• 1 Chronicles 12:32 – Of the sons of Issachar who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do, their chiefs were two hundred; and all their brethren were at their command;

• Acts 7:22 – And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds.

• Colossians 4:6 – Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

• Titus 2:1 – But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:

• 1 Peter 4:11 – If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

So how are we to be people (communicators) who are…

• Understanding of the times?
• Mighty in words and deeds?
• Speaking appropriately?
• Teaching correct doctrine?
• Ministering in God’s power?

Develop the habit of reading…

• I addressed this topic in my blog The Power of Creating a Personal Reading Plan so I am not going to repeat the content.
• I would like to call your attention to an additional study which validates the need for developing this habit as a leader: The Decline of the American Book Lover.

Develop the habit of studying…

•  Never stop learning! Be curious and always have something new you want to master.
• Every believer should be a student of the scriptures. Take a course – read it through – or do a Bible study with a discipleship partner: but be a student of the Word.
• I have often said to students and leaders,
  

  When you stop learning and reading, purchase one last local newspaper and search the obituaries for your name.

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Develop the habit of writing…

• Write something every day whether it be an email, a journal entry or a blog.
• Learn to craft Your words:

“Genius is the ability to reduce the complicated to the simple.” C. W. Ceran

• Read a Grammar book to fine-tune your writing. It can be a confidence builder or just a refresher course. I recommend this simple book: The Princeton Review, Grammar Smart Junior (2^nd Edition, Liz Buffa, Random House).

I once heard Josh McDowell say to a group of students, “If you want to prepare for effective ministry then be an English major; if you cannot communicate you will not minister.”

What I am trying to say is this:

Read to expand the breath of your life and ministry.

Study to enlarge the depth of your life and ministry.

Write to express the height of your life and ministry.