Seeking Silence and Stillness
Photo courtesy of Freepik
I have often written about the noise of today, the stirring all around that the world can produce, the natural gifts of children that create a joyful noise and laughter in life. But even joyful noise can stir in us a longing for something different: a longing for silence, for a quiet that stills every noise in your mind, a peace that surpasses understanding (Philippians 4:7).
This kind of silence is not overwhelming but filling. It’s one that fills your mind with wonder and awe. It doesn’t sit in discontentment or loneliness but, rather, in joy and peace. This kind of silence makes room for a still, small voice: God’s still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12). And what a juxtaposition that is, huh? The still, small voice of our God is the same voice as our majestic King Jesus, the mighty one who came to free us from every sin and pain.
The Purpose of Stirring
As a counselor, I’ve noticed that this stirring can be what causes many of us to seek help. It’s a desire for a quiet and still mind, maybe even a mind that understands or is more processed. We humans long for peace in our minds. When we seek help in counseling it is to understand our traumas, pains, upbringings, fears, and triggers, and yet there is still a deep longing in our soul for an inner peace that only our Jesus can bring. It’s a longing for someone to save us from all our heartaches, to faithfully and consistently meet all our needs. Our souls are ever searching, ever on a hunt for something to rely on, but it is the who, not the what, that brings peace.
An Exercise on Silence and Stillness
Below is a reflection exercise with a scripture verse and questions to meditate on. Take a moment to read and reflect, finding quiet as you meditate on the questions and your answers to them.
“For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.” - Psalm 62:1 ESV
What does it feel like for you to sit in silence? Is it difficult? Where does your mind go? What are your immediate thoughts?
Are your immediate thoughts linked to stress or fear? If so, consider areas you may desire to bring to a counselor, mentor, or simply to God.
What does it look like to surrender these thoughts to Jesus for Him to deal with?
If silencing your brain to do this exercise feels difficult, simply start with finding silent moments. This could look like choosing to put your phone away for an afternoon or choosing to find quiet in the mundane tasks of life. Maybe it looks like choosing to mow the lawn with no headphones on or doing dishes in silence. Many times it is not about finding complete silence but, rather, de-stimulating our brains from the noise of our day to day.
Meeting God in the Silence
Seeking silence and stillness isn’t always easy, and it doesn’t always look the same for everyone. I often find myself jumping from prayer to silence and from silence back to prayer. When I am aware of how loud I am allowing my life to get, I begin to long for quiet moments. And with the rush of life, it’s easy to simply continue in the same habits and busyness. It then takes intentionality to begin to choose quiet again, to create rhythms of reflection, contemplation, and peace. But it is in these moments, through cultivating these rhythms of stillness, that I have met God.