The world is a noisy place in this digital age. Sound becomes the white noise of our souls keeping us distracted and disconnected from God. In Quiet Times, Bible study, devotions, and daily life with Jesus, silence can deepen our faith. Becoming comfortable with silence helps Christian women to connect with God on a more intimate level.

I’ll be honest, silence is the spiritual discipline that comes hardest for me. It’s the holy habit that I rush through and try to avoid. To simply sit and cultivate quiet with God feels like doing nothing and wasting time. Becoming more comfortable with silence is an important growth step on our spiritual journey.

I struggle with silence–

I don’t like silence when there’s a lull in conversation with others.
It’s hard to quiet my thoughts and listen to God.
And most of all, I struggle when God is silent.

One silent minute feels long. Empty. Silence feels like void begging for me to say something, do something, prove something, or produce something. Can you relate?

[tweetthis]Listening and connecting with God extends beyond words.[/tweetthis]

Warring with our fears of unproductively, silence settles our racing thoughts and opens our hearts to listen to God.

I recently shared 8 powerful ways to connect with God when He is silent. Recognizing that God communicates with us in different ways helps us to become more comfortable with silence as a way of engaging with God.

There are times when hearing God comes in the quiet. Remember how God didn’t speak to Elijah in the whirlwind, but in the sound of a gentle whisper? You can read about that in 1 Kings 19:12. Click here to see how “God’s voice” is worded in a variety of translations at a glance.

You can find a free printable version of this Psalm 62:5-8 graphic here.

David, a man after God’s heart, often wrote about silence and seeking God in the Psalms. His words show us how silence can bring us to God on a deeper level.

[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#solitudeandsilene #relationshipwithgod”]Silence helps us listen to both ourselves and to God in a chaotic, noisy world.[/tweetthis]

In this Psalm, the word wait includes the idea of being silent and still, to hold peace, to rest, or to quiet yourself.

Isn’t it easy for our resistant hearts to equate silence with not hearing? Silence increases our desire to hear from God. As I lean into the discomfort of silence, I’m beginning to relax and trust my Father on a deeper level.

When we embrace silence, we clear our minds of internal chatter and simply wait on God. It doesn’t come naturally, but I’m resisting spiritual ADD and learning to be still on the inside.

Have you noticed how the quiet can awaken you to seek and listen more attentively?

Silence Goes Two Ways

We often think of “waiting in silence” in terms of quieting our thoughts before God, which is an important benefit of silence. When we go through times when God feels distant, “waiting in silence” can also point to the importance of waiting with faith.

Waiting for God is tied to hope, a confident expectation based on His faithful character.

[tweetthis hidden_hashtags=”#darknightofthesoul”]We can wait for God because He is worthy of the wait.[/tweetthis]

5 Simple Ways Silence Can Deepen Your Faith

Notice the helpful progression for connecting with God in Psalm 62:5-8. Each step opens the way for the next. Though silence can be uncomfortable, each of these actions empower us to experience greater intimacy with God.

Be willing to experience silence.
Wait on God with hope.
Declare God’s character.
Decide to trust Him at all times (even the distant or silent ones).
Pour out your concerns to God.

Sprawl out. Gush forth. To pour out our heart before Him is to let the hurt out, to expose the feelings stuffed down, to meet God in the midst of what we’re really thinking, feeling, and believing.

No hanging back or holding in. Sometimes silence is messy.

Remember God’s Character

Because He is—

Our hope
Our rock
Our salvation
Our strength
Our stability
Our refuge

Our God is trustworthy even in the silence. Even in the fears, doubts, or griefs that assault our souls. Even in the dark night of the soul. He is present. He is faithful. He is near.

Let Silence Connect Your Heart with God

Keep showing up with your heart and Bible open. Reframe silence as an invitation to trust God and pour out your heart. Rather than worry you are getting it wrong, believe God will speak in His timing.

Let this truth strengthen your soul when you struggle with silence: God is working in the silence.

If silence is the first language of God, let Him speak. My soul, wait on God in silence. . . for my hope is from Him.

Friend, are you becoming more comfortable with silence on your spiritual journey? How do you connect with God in silence?

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8 Comments

Beth on August 31, 2020 at 3:47 pm

I’m studying through some of the Psalms of David and this is exactly what he did time after time, Ginger. I love your insights and challenges to us here. I actually LOVE silence, but hate it when it means waiting on God to answer! Lol! I’ll be pinning and tweeting, my friend!
- Ginger Harrington on September 2, 2020 at 2:39 pm
  
  Thanks for joining me in these online sanctuary, Beth. Yes, David does this time and time again. I love catching hold of his way of processing his emotions in light of God’s faithfulness. And I’m with you on the challenge of waiting for God to answer. Thank you so much for pinning and tweeting this post. Every share is both an encouragement and also a powerful way of sharing God’s message. Appreciate you!
Rebecca Jones on September 3, 2020 at 3:30 pm

Being still and knowing God takes making a decision to rest and practice His presence.
- Ginger Harrington on September 3, 2020 at 5:42 pm
  
  You are so right, Rebecca. I love that God invites us into a deeper relationship with Him. Blessings to you today! Thanks for joining the conversation.
Tinashe on September 4, 2020 at 6:40 am

I love that you mention that God is working in the silence. As an extrovert silence is very difficult for me but this is such a great encouragement and reminder to know that waiting on God is waiting in faith. Thank you for sharing 😊
- Ginger Harrington on September 4, 2020 at 9:35 am
  
  Welcome, Tinashe! Getting comfortable with silence is particularly challenging for extroverts! I’m sure you could relate to a few of the struggles I face–I’m 50/50 intro and extro in the vert scales. I hope these ideas will open a sweet experience with God as you press into silence.
- Chioma Nnakwe on September 4, 2024 at 7:11 am
  
  I enjoy every bit of your teaching on faith and focusing in the meditation of the word of God through biblical readings and prayers. And encouraging us to always seek the holly spirit for help, guidance and teachings to pray to also have knowledge and understanding of the word.
  - Ginger Harrington on September 9, 2024 at 11:14 am
    
    Thank you for your kind feedback on the content. I’m so glad you have found value and encouragement here! May God bless you in many ways as you follow Him wholeheartedly!