Psalm 5:2 English Standard Version (ESV) Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.

Speaking again to the issues of emotional needs, I can speak to this one, attention. When tested it was found that my primary need is attention.

Imagine yourself walking into a gathering of people you know. As you enter no one greets you, no one acknowledges your presence, and you appear to be invisible to everyone. How would that make you feel?

They say that hate is the opposite of love, it is not it is indifference. Lack of attention is received as indifference. It does not need be real to be felt. Expectation of indifference can be felt regardless of the reality.

We have greeters at church to negate those emotions. No one comes in without attention being paid to them to let them know they matter. Attention is emotionally connected to self-worth. It differs from value because it is expected regardless of activity or position. Age has nothing to do with it. It infects the young and old alike.

In my past I would overcompensate by being very vocal even to the point of dominating the conversation. I would not allow people to ignore me, even if I had to be argumentative. It was once pointed out to me that I would argue with the wall. It never occurred to me that my behavior could elicit the same emotional frustrations in others that I was seeking to avoid.

I have to work hard not to allow my need for attention to interfere with relationships.

If no one is asking about you, ask about them. “How are you doing?” Find a way to make that sound insincere. We should be sincere because nothing prompts attention from others any faster than sincerity.

Love one another as directed in John 13:34. It works.