Do you remember the time you called your friend and got no response? Calls were unanswered, emails ignored, and missed calls were not returned. Maybe they are just busy – you know their schedule. Then you wonder if this “silence” is intentional or unintentional. Maybe they are upset with you regarding something. Maybe its nothing to worry about at all. Everything is fine. Whatever the case, it troubles you considerably.
That Eerie Feeling
There are times when our prayers seem to go nowhere. The lack of response from God troubles our hearts more than anything else. We wonder if God has forgotten us. We consider the possibility that God is angry with us. Surely there must be a reason for this divine silence.
What’s the purpose of His silence?
Sometimes, God’s silence allows us time to think and to learn. That divine silence allows us to experience – for a brief time – what it is to live without God’s guidance. It can be an eerie feeling, like the “calm before the storm.” But quickly we realize that God’s voice is truly essential.
God also waits in silence for our response, for our obedience. In essence, “the ball is in our court.” He has done a tremendous work in our hearts, and now it is up to us to obey. God waits in silence since it is “our move” now. Certainly it is a divine silence of expectation.
Here is the scary part of God’s silence
The most dangerous form of God’s silence is when he allows us to have our own way. He has spoken to us on numerous occasions, but we have failed to obey. We’ve had our own agenda, and we wonder why God is disturbing us. So God steps back and allows us to live and experience life without his guidance. Although this may seem like a favorable option for a time, we soon run into danger. We continue in our own way until we realize that what we needed all along was his voice.
God is not angry with us
In his silence, he simply waits for our return. God is not angry with us. Many fail to return to God thinking that he is angry with them because of their lack of obedience. They wonder if God will accept them back. Rather than being angry, he is like a hopeful parent waiting for the children to return home where they belong. No matter how late it is, he is waiting, ready to open the door.
God’s silence – for any reason – is his choice. Job experienced that in his own life and he responded: “When he is quiet who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man? (Job 34:29)
Our obligation
Although we don’t have the option to question God regarding his silence, we have the obligation to return. We return not for his benefit, but for our sustenance and future. That eerie divine silence may mean several things, but certainly we are to learn the lessons of life and quickly return to him.
How have you responded to God’s silence?
Leave your response in the comments section of this blog post by clicking here.
How to Handle God's Silence in Your Life
6 responses to “How to Handle God's Silence in Your Life”
-
First of all I am writing this reply to articulate what I felt and went through when God was silent in my life. In fact, just before this dark period, I had just begun to hear God’s voice or rather recognize His voice. I was really enjoying my time with God and it seemed so glorious. But, soon after that I experienced persecution and somehow God was silent. And sure enough, I went crazy. I thought He was mad at me for something and I couldn’t figure out why. I tried fasting, which I failed at. I was desperate and without anyone to talk to. I felt completely alone and deserted, even by God. I eventually decided that I did not have it in me to lead the Christian life and since I was not able to pray and fast, I should as well quit the Christian life. I decided to run away from home and more importantly from faith. But, God in His mercy broke through. As I was on my way (on the train), a gentle voice spoke to me asking “What are u doing?” and I knew instantly it was God. No one could be so gentle, and in it lay the realization that I was saying no to the one who died on the cross for me. I was rejecting Him. But, when I returned to Him, I experienced the flood of forgiveness and an assurance like never before and I was back home. And then was when I received the calling for my life – the calling of Jeremiah. The greatest lesson I learnt during this time of my life – I fail in times of trials but He triumphs and makes me stand. My faith and commitment does not and should not depend on me but on Him. He makes us stand and win.
LikeLike
-
I am glad that you mentioned that it is God who makes us to stand. That is the hope we have even when it seems that God is silent.
LikeLike
-
-
Thank you sir for the write up. It was indeed an encouraging word. Honestly, many dimensions of God’s silence are beyond my comprehension. At some point the divine silence leads me to question my commitment and eventually it ends with self condemnation & sin. What do you think it is? Is that a weak faith or personal weakness? Can you throw some light?
LikeLike
-
Lydia,
If it is weak faith or other personal weakness, the most important aspect of our relationship with God is trust…even when we think he is silent.LikeLike
-
-
Thank you, Alexi, for your articles. I have been reading them and enjoy them. They show the unconditional love of our precious Savior and that He is all wise and will help us in all situations. I identify with Job when he says “Though He slay me yet will I trust Him.”
LikeLike
-
Thanks Jean. Without the unconditional love of our Father, we all be in a mess. How gracious God is.
LikeLike
-
YOURBARNABAS.COM 
Leave a Reply