Some do not like silence.
However, silence can be such an effective tool.
When everything is silent, you know what people do instinctively? They listen. And they listen intently.
As odd as that sounds, when it is silent, people listen.
And silence can be such an effective negotiating tool.
Try this some time. Whenever you and another party are at different positions, state your position, and then no matter what happens next, just politely smile and maintain eye contact. Whoever speaks next loses. And often, people will do anything to break the silence. The longer the silence, the longer the awkward moment and the more effective the strategy.
Again, I would encourage you to practice a long silence with someone and see what it happens. They will probably scream, “Say something!!”
Is God ever silent? Yes, sometimes for moments, days, weeks, years or hundreds of years.
The times he has gone silent in my life is usually when he is trying to tell me something. And that is how he gets my attention, because when there is silence, I listen much more intently.
So, if you feel that God has gone silent in your life, then be encouraged. This means he is trying to get your attention and needs for you to listen.
Break through the awkward moment of God’s silence not by speaking and ruining the moment, but pray this psalm as David did.
“O God, do not remain quiet. Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.” Psalm 83:1
He can then speak because you are receptive to hear.
JHH
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