The Struggle with Silence

Being quiet is a lot harder than I thought. I am learning that silence is something that I have to practice not only in my speech but also in my thoughts. I am also learning that there are reasons for this of which I may not be immediately aware but below are some of the ones that I have become cognizant of:

1. Let’s just start with the big one, the one that hurts my pride the most, and knocks me to my knees the hardest. This may not be a shock to you but it comes as quite a surprise to me: I may not be the most important person I know, there may just be someone else who has something valuable to say.  (Like God, maybe?!)  Maybe I need to be quiet simply because of this.
2. It’s easier to listen to someone else when I’m not talking. Again, this is a no brainer for most people but I guess I needed the reminder.
3. Another reason is that sometimes the stuff that I say is just not okay. Jesus says in Matthew 12:34, “For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks”. OUCH! Sometimes what comes out of my mouth reflects my heart and simply is not pretty.
4. A tried but true reason for silence is: you cannot take back what you say.
5. Talking about something unpleasant or something that is out of my control keeps my brain on the treadmill or negative emotions, doubt, fear, and all sorts of dark things. Shutting up and turning to God in prayer or singing a worship tune reminds me that God is in control and that in the end, we still win.

Silence is not easy, at least not for a girl like me. But God is showing me that all things are possible with Him, even me, shutting my mouth. The bonus in all of this for me is that my silence is confirmation that miracles still exist, too.