Challenge #3 - Develop a Habit of Silence
Feeling confused? Lost? Purposeless? Do you want to hear God’s voice? Do you want clarity? Develop a habit of daily silence. While spending time in silence is not a guaranteed quick fix for every problem we face, having the ability to spend time listening to God’s voice is crucial in becoming a healthy and mature Christian.
In today’s world, spending a few moments every day in silence is difficult. We are constantly bombarded with messages, notifications, and entertainment. As a culture, we are still figuring out how to use cell phones in the best possible way. We have responsibilities to bear and crises to navigate. It can all feel so overwhelming. In the midst of the overwhelm and chaos, it is easy to lose our sense of identity, community, and purpose. It is easy to become so distracted that it seems that we lose connection with God.
Developing the ability to spend time in silence can help alleviate this. Silence is one tool in the toolbox for listening to God. Being able to disconnect from all of the technology around us, is a way to control the technology instead of letting the technology control us. If we have any hurt or desire in our hearts, silence will bring all of this to the surface. Then, we can bring it all to God. After we have sorted through all of this, we can be in a place to listen to God.
Silence, combined with reading the Bible, prayer, and community, can help us realize the connection we have with the Holy Spirit. We can listen to God’s voice. We can follow him wherever he is calling us. Maybe God wants us to reach out to an old or new friend. Maybe he wants us to forgive someone or address past conflicts. Maybe he has a new path for us to follow. All of this can be unlocked with a healthy habit of silence.
We challenge you to spend at least 10 minutes per day in silence. The better you are at spending time in silence and solitude, the better you will be at listening to God’s voice.
Take a Break from the Chaos | David Mathis and Desiring God
➡️ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/take-a-break-from-the-chaos
This is helpful post for thinking through who’s voice are we listening to when we spend time in silence. As humans, we need the Bible to filter through all of our thoughts and motivations.
Spiritual Disciplines: Silence And Solitude | Jeannie Cunnion and Lifeway Women
➡️ https://women.lifeway.com/2018/11/21/spiritual-disciplines-silence-and-solitude/
Family life can be challenging. In this post Jeannie (a mother of four boys) challenges us to not let our family distract us from connenting with God.
How to Practice Solitude | NIV Blog Post
➡️ https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/how-to-practice-solitude/
This is a very practical post diving into some details about developing a habit of silence and solitude.
8 Steps to Meeting God in Silence and Solitude | Whitney Hopler
➡️ https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-to-meet-god-through-silence-and-solitude.html
In this deep and practical post, Whitney Hopler outlines some key takeaways from Ruth Haley Barton’s book Invitation to Solitude and Silence. This post and book are key for anyone interested in spiritual transformation.