When People Are Silent
What does it mean when people are silent?
When you talk, they listen and don't respond?
Are they in shock? Are they bored? Are they repelled? Are they afraid? Are they saddened? Are they simply at a loss for words? Are they hoping you go away?
Silence speaks without words.
Some people are silent because they have nothing to say or because they don't want to say the wrong thing.
"Silence is golden" we are told, is it always true? If we are followers of Jesus, with the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in us, do we seek God for what to say and speak, at least, to see if He wants us to speak or do we keep quiet out of some uncomfortable fear?
For someone like me who has to put duck tape over her mouth to force myself to be silent, and if I am not speaking, I find myself writing/typing/reading... using words, it is very hard for me to understand. God is teaching me how and why and when to be silent, but often He is also telling me when and what to speak. The key to learning when and what to say is to practice living in His presence.
Of course sometimes silence can be a welcome words when people don't know what to say or put their foot in their mouth by saying something odd, hurtful or unhelpful. This is when silence is golden!
We all prefer someone to not say anything, than to say something that comes across as frustrating... preachy... clueless...rude.
Words spoken in grace and love can be a welcome conversations--to know someone cares enough to interact and to let others respond requires listening. Silence is often not listening, but it can be.
Too many people think speaking leads to arguing. I think it is communicating.
How do we know what others think if they never tell us?
And if we are a big mess, that people try to avoid, if no one has the boldness in Christ, to love a person enough to spend time with them and help them to see the errors of their ways, how can they mature or grow up in Christ? Most "wise" people say they will leave that message up to God to give personally, but did they even stop to ask God if they are HIS messenger?
It is easy to think... well, God will teach her in her private time, she will learn in a Bible Study or read it in a book ... but is this how God wanted His living body of Jesus to function?
What is Biblical?
I need to search His Word. I am sure there is a time to silent. I simply wonder if sometimes we are silent because of fear.
Blessing to you today!
When you talk, they listen and don't respond?
Are they in shock? Are they bored? Are they repelled? Are they afraid? Are they saddened? Are they simply at a loss for words? Are they hoping you go away?
Silence speaks without words.
Some people are silent because they have nothing to say or because they don't want to say the wrong thing.
"Silence is golden" we are told, is it always true? If we are followers of Jesus, with the dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in us, do we seek God for what to say and speak, at least, to see if He wants us to speak or do we keep quiet out of some uncomfortable fear?
For someone like me who has to put duck tape over her mouth to force myself to be silent, and if I am not speaking, I find myself writing/typing/reading... using words, it is very hard for me to understand. God is teaching me how and why and when to be silent, but often He is also telling me when and what to speak. The key to learning when and what to say is to practice living in His presence.
Of course sometimes silence can be a welcome words when people don't know what to say or put their foot in their mouth by saying something odd, hurtful or unhelpful. This is when silence is golden!
We all prefer someone to not say anything, than to say something that comes across as frustrating... preachy... clueless...rude.
Words spoken in grace and love can be a welcome conversations--to know someone cares enough to interact and to let others respond requires listening. Silence is often not listening, but it can be.
Too many people think speaking leads to arguing. I think it is communicating.
How do we know what others think if they never tell us?
And if we are a big mess, that people try to avoid, if no one has the boldness in Christ, to love a person enough to spend time with them and help them to see the errors of their ways, how can they mature or grow up in Christ? Most "wise" people say they will leave that message up to God to give personally, but did they even stop to ask God if they are HIS messenger?
It is easy to think... well, God will teach her in her private time, she will learn in a Bible Study or read it in a book ... but is this how God wanted His living body of Jesus to function?
What is Biblical?
I need to search His Word. I am sure there is a time to silent. I simply wonder if sometimes we are silent because of fear.
Blessing to you today!
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