Thankful Thirty – Why You Need the Blessing of Quiet
I like “noise.”
I can spend the first few hours of the day in silence, but by mid-morning my music goes on, and later it’s the television. It took a long time, but I finally realized that I work better when background noise forces me to concentrate. Thank-you ADD.
I do wonder if constant noise isn’t a problem as well. It’s so rare for us to have to sit quietly with nothing but out thoughts. I wonder how well I’m listening.
Because God sometimes gets our attention in big ways, but often He speaks in a gentle whisper.
“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave. 1 Kings 19:11–13
There’s something interesting about whispers . . .
They require focus and concentration too.
One of my favorite teachers as a child rarely raised her voice. When she had something important to say she spoke . . . very . . . very . . . quietly.
And we listened. Because we knew if she was quiet it was important.
The Spirit has important things to tell us, are we listening? Are we embracing the gift of quiet long enough to hear His whisper?
Quotes that Invite Quiet
“Try to keep your soul always in peace and quiet, always ready for whatever our Lord may wish to work in you. It is certainly a higher virtue of the soul, and a greater grace, to be able to enjoy the Lord in different times and different places than in only one.” ~Saint Ignatius
Quiet is a blessed gift. In this frantic world how we must cherish every moment of it, and carve it out for ourselves every chance we get.” ~Anne Ortlund
The devil has made it his business to monopolize on three elements: noise, hurry, crowds. He will not allow quietness.” ~Elisabeth Elliot
“God’s voice is still and quiet and easily buried under an avalanche of clamour.” ~Charles Stanley
“God is the friend of silence. See how nature–trees, flowers, grass–grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, and the sun, how they move in silence.” ~Mother Teresa
Be thankful for quiet. For His gentle whisper. Listen.
Father, Thank you for the gift of quiet. Thank you for the stillness of creation. Thank you for speaking to me in gentle whispers. Forgive me for filling my life with noise that distracts me. Forgive me for filling so much of my life with the frivolous and unnecessary. Forgive me for giving so much attention to shouting lies. By Your grace help me to listen. Help me to know Your voice and replace lies with Your truth. In Jesus name I ask for Your grace and mercy. Amen.
Photo Credit – BarnImages.com
Hi Deb, What a joy to be your neighbor at Women With Inention.This is just what I needed to read. I am craving some stillness and quiet before the Lord. His gentle whisper offers peace and calm for my soul, even when the day gets busy and chaotic. Amidst this busy season, I hope to be intentional about finding time to be still before the Lord.
Me too Valerie! I have to work at quiet. It doesn’t come naturally for me, but I don’t want to drown out the precious voice of the Lord. Slowing down. Breathing in. And listening. Blessings to you!
Hi Deb,
I’m excited I’m your neighbor at Holley’s today and what a post that resonates with me! I just had a conversation with my sister about how I’d like to turn down all the voices inside my head that keep up a constant stream of distraction and how I’d like to have some quiet! 🙂 It ‘s so essential to hear what God is whispering to us and we have to be still to hear it. Thanks for these thoughts today, friend!
Thank you Valerie! Yes! It’s so easy for my thoughts to become the shouting in my head. Praying for stillness at His feet. Blessings to you during this very busy season!
I love your religious take on the importance of quiet. As a high school teacher, in my first year, I often tried to combat the noise with being louder to tell them to quiet down. Now, I simply stand at the front of the room, quietly observing or quietly talking. The students very quickly catch on and hush one another. I remember growing up, sometimes my mom would just turn off the radio because she liked the way it sounded. I never understood until I was an adult : )
Lindsay, It’s amazing the difference that makes isn’t it. Even though it was my favorite teachers go to method . . . it took me a while to start doing it myself when I taught. I’m sure you’re blessing your students with wisdom as well as knowledge. Blessings to you!
Hello friend!! Visiting from Jennifer’s link up today! I’m hungering for quiet more than ever in this over the top age we’re living in… Bigger, better and louder was not what Jesus was all about. Small, humble and quiet is truly where it’s at. I love your quiet quotes and your whole thankful series : ) And since I’ve seen those verses about Elijah twice today, I think I may have to refocus my quiet time tomorrow morning…Have a wonderful Wednesday!
Hi Heather. Hungering for quiet . . . what a great way to put it. And yes, your reference to Jesus is spot on. Truth doesn’t need to be shouted it just needs to be said. I need to remember that! Blessings to you!
I love the silence, I could listen to it all day!
Thanks for making me smile Bethany! That’s great!
I treasure the quiet times, and they are quite frequent around here. That serves me well when I’m writing, praying, or just listening to God.
Blessings, Deb!
I have to be intentional about quiet, but I’m getting better at it. Realizing that it is good for me. And oh how I want to be available to hear His quiet voice. God’s blessings my friend!
Great post, Deb. God has often woken me up in the quiet of the night (4 a.m.) to talk to me. Believe me, if I’m awake at that hour, I’m listening! 🙂
I love this post so much. I’ve had some major wake up calls with God lately and when I hear from him the most is when Im quiet and I quiet the world around me . Thanks for sharing