The Exquisite Gift of Silence

Posted on by Jennifer Arimborgo

Shhhhhh

“Be still…” (Ps. 46:10, ESV).

Today’s entertainment culture has consumers in a never-ending pursuit of constant stimulation. Ever more impressive graphics in movies and video games excite our senses. The industry sells us experiences that perpetually leave us in search of the next, more exhilarating audio-visual thrill.

The end result is a generation that is entirely uncomfortable with silence and solitude. The forfeiture of these commodities is an unspeakable loss. What has been relinquished? Some of the greatest wealth any human being could ever appropriate: that to be found in the cultivation of a quiet, tranquil soul.

Tragically, the titillation of our brains with excessive stimuli has distracted us from the life that is truly life. The “life more abundantly” that the Father longs to give us includes the beautiful gifts of:

Though this last one is tucked into a Scripture directed specifically to women, the passage holds a truth that is universal. That is, that the serene spirit is one of the mightiest forces on earth. As the preceding verses point out, the mere presence of a person exuding the fruit of gentle quietude in this way is enough to win over an unbeliever to faith… without ever speaking a single word. Just being in their supernaturally peaceful vicinity is that compelling.

Would you like to be one of those people? You can be! In some cases, it may require a lifestyle overhaul. If you quickly become edgy and unsettled when you find yourself alone in the silence of your bedroom, then it may be time for a major change. Silent solitude is probably exactly what you need to build into your life. Jesus wants to teach you to be utterly at ease in just His company – and your own – in complete stillness.

It’s in the quiet that we can hear His voice. He is always speaking, but so often the noise of our unhealthily busy lives drowns out His words. If we earnestly want to hear Him, we must covet silence. We must give anything to have it. We must war against everything that would steal it from us.

Lean in today. Listen intently to His invitation:

“…Think deeply about this, when you lie in silence on your beds” (Ps. 4:4, TEV).

“Be still, and know that I am God…” (Ps. 46:10, ESV).

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Have you and silence become good friends?

21 thoughts on “The Exquisite Gift of Silence”

  2. This is wonderful! A friend and I were just discussing the value of being silent (whether by ourselves or even in a corporate worship setting, etc.). I feel this is something the Holy Spirit is doing in the Body of Christ, re-introducing us to stilling our souls so we can recognize His still, small voice. ❤️

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  4. I believe in the circumstances of covid when folks were forced to STOP not just slow down many learnt to be STILL In silence . This is something we all must do to remain intimately ‘Connected’ to our Saviour. In Christ in the New Covenant HE is Sabbath rest. We must STOP, pray and listen to HIM alone. Voices of dissent, turmoil and busy, busy etc etc are not voices we must be swamped by.

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    1. This is beautifully expressed, Faye. Thank you so much for sharing such an insightful comment. You hit it on the nose. This is exactly what our loving Father wanted to bring home to us, bringing beautiful good from what the enemy meant for harm, as He always does!

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  5. Amen and amen!!! Today’s “busy” culture is driving people to value what is fading away and not what is eternal: the love of God and His binding together. But if God can change me (and still is), He can touch and transform any stubborn, prideful heart 🤣😂

    I am committing to pray for several hurting “busy” homes and I am asking Jesus to send me out into other local homes to come to know Him there and grow even more as I see Him arise in our midst to find His fellowship in the least likely places. May Jesus reveal the beauty of His quiet, yielding heart in each one of us more and more and more. Take us deeper into Your loving rest, oh precious Jesus!! Oh how we love you.

    Thank you so much for all your sharing and praying, Jennifer. So so so affirms all God has done and is doing in my life. SO much comfort is flowing into my heart: just what you’ve been praying for. Thank You, Jesus!!

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    1. Oh thank You Father, Lord of heaven and earth! I thank You with all my heart that You have been comforting my precious sister Anna, the one that You love so much. This means so much to me! I thank You that You always hear our prayers! Thank You for hearing from heaven and bringing Your healing touch, as only You can. We love You, Abba!

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