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How to Respond When God is Quiet
“When you are going through difficulty and wonder where GOD is, remember the teacher is always quiet during the test.” Unknown Author. Silence has a way of making us uneasy, nervous, or restless. Whether it is anticipating a call from the doctor, a job offer, or an answer to prayer, the stillness feels as though everything around us has stopped. How we handle the quiet moments reflects our faith, trust in God, and understanding of his character. If we don’t know how to respond, his silence can feel like a moment that stretches forever.
We come up with reasons for God’s silence when it seems he is not moving. He has abandoned me, stopped listening to me, or forgiven me. Nothing will stop God from loving us, turning away from us, or rejecting us. If the silence is unbearable and you don’t know what to do, this article will offer practical tips to help you remain firm in faith and find peace in the moments of God’s silence.
Focusing On God in Silent Moments
Our fear, doubt, problems, hardships, and other challenges may blur our vision, and we lose sight of God. We have options beyond speculating on the reason for the silence. A sign of spiritual maturity is when we are not bothered by the stillness. I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Psalm 16:8, NIV. Our heavenly father has empowered us with strength and the capacity to overcome unbelief, negative thoughts, and distractions to focus on him. Second Timothy 1:7 tells us that the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.
Resisting Distractions
Daily distractions come as life challenges, hard times, setbacks, or obstacles that shift our focus away from God. When your attention or thoughts drift from God, knowing how to regain focus and remain grounded in his peace is essential in moments of stillness. You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3, NLT.
How to Focus on God
Here are four tips to help you realign your heart, mind, and thoughts on God.
- Talking with God during the day helps us focus on who God is —God Almighty, Genesis 49:25, the Creator of Heaven and Earth. Genesis 14:19.
- Writing scriptures on index cards or in your cell phone’s app can empower and encourage you when negative thoughts, fear, doubt, or unbelief preoccupy and pull you away from God’s presence.
- Be intentional about focusing on God’s qualities, attributes, and promises. Philippians 4:8 in the New Living Translation tells us And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
- Embrace the present moment to experience the presence of God. I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! Psalm 139:7, NLT. We cannot hear God’s voice, feel his love, or experience his peace if we dwell in the past or live in the future.
Praying for God’s Presence
How is your prayer life? Do you ask God for things? Do you beg and plead for him to answer your prayer? Or Do you desire to experience his presence? And have a close relationship with him like the Psalmist David? One thing I have asked of the LORD, and that I will seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD [in His presence] all the days of my life, To gaze upon the beauty [the delightful loveliness and majestic grandeur] of the LORD And to meditate in His temple. Psalm 27:4, AMP. Prayer is a sacred time for us to commune with the God of the universe and know him on a deeper, intimate, and personal level.
How to Experience God’s Presence
We encounter God in an atmosphere overwhelmed with his peace and love. Surrendering every part of our lives to his sovereign control by letting go of our worries and concerns and focusing on him with our hearts and minds. But first and most importantly, seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. Matthew 6:33, AMP. One of my favorite songs to help me encounter God’s presence is You Are Here by William McDowell. I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do.
The Purpose of Prayer
In my most challenging season, I unexpectedly lost my job when the grant funding for my position was not renewed. You can read more about it in my blog post Embracing Life Challenges with Grace. I discovered the purpose of prayer is to seek God with complete focus and sincere devotion to enter his presence. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13, NKJ. My source of peace, strength, guidance, and provision was God. When you have him, you have everything you need.
Living in God’s Presence
We will encounter God when we start our day seeking him in an atmosphere of his love and the peace of his presence. Our communion with him should continue as we abide in his presence throughout the day. When we do, everything falls into alignment in his perfect timing.
Praising God’s Faithfulness
A recurring theme throughout the Bible is extolling God in praise. And yet again, Praise the LORD, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth. Romans 15:11, NLT. Praising God for his faithfulness lifts us out of the pit of despair and hopelessness and ignites joy, peace, and gratitude. Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrew 13:15, ESV. (In this verse, the pronoun him refers to Jesus). The sacrifice of praise is medicine for our souls when emotionally drained, our hearts are heavy, or we do not feel like lifting God up in praise.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forerever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Psalm 105:5, NIV
Embracing the Promise of Faithfulness
One of God’s most enduring character attributes is his faithfulness. He remains faithful regardless of our actions, the situation, or economic conditions. He remains faithful [true to His word and His righteous character], for He cannot deny Himself. Second Timothy 2:13, AMP. In moments of God’s silence, we can still trust him to accomplish what he has promised. If you struggle to trust God’s faithfulness, you may find encouragement in my devotional, Five Promises from God When Life is Hard. Download your copy
Finding Gratitude When God Is Quiet
Having the right perspective helps us find meaning in the stillness. The Bible reminds us to be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. First Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT. A grateful heart makes it hard to overlook our blessings—being alive, our ability to move, our sight to take in the beauty of the Lord’s creation, our voice to bless his name and praise him for what he has done, and what he will do in the future.
Having the right perspective helps us find meaning in the stillness. The Bible reminds us to be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. First Thessalonians 5:16-18, NLT. A grateful heart makes it hard to overlook our blessings—being alive, our ability to move, our sight to take in the beauty of the Lord’s creation, our voice to bless his name and praise him for what he has done, and what he will do in the future.
In The Quiet Moments
I hope you are encouraged to stand firm in faith and inspired to pursue God in the quiet moments with a renewed commitment to a close, intimate relationship with him. Please tell me in the comments which of these insights resonates with you the most. Is there one you feel compelled to focus on? I would love to know.
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Take care. Peace and Blessings. Beatrice
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