"Stay silent"
"But! But!!! BUT!!!!...."
"Quiet"
"But!!!!!...."
"Be still!"
"<SIGH> OK... but you KNOW how hard that is for me! Can't do that one without YOU."
"I know. Trust me. Be still."
So went another discussion with my Father. As we all know, I screwed this directive up big time the last time He gave it to me. So I really wanted to pass the test this go-round.
What is it that makes being quiet so difficult for me? Well, in this case it is the unfairness, an invasion of privacy, justice being compromised, and false accusations being hurled in all directions. I desperately want to point out to the world just how wrong this other person and this entire situation are. However, when we perceive things to be "wrong", sometimes they are just being allowed to persist a bit longer to bring about a change or good out of the whole thing. He is working, even when we can't see it or understand. It's not our justice that needs to prevail - it's His.
As humans, our natural instinct is to protect ourselves (and others)... whether that's from a physical assault, a verbal attack, or an influx of emotional pain. We immediately want to react when someone does or says something unfair or unjust - or just plain out wrong. There are many times when God would rather we hold our tongue and remain silent. This past week it was as if God wanted to make sure I "got" the lesson last time and learned to keep my mouth shut when He said to be still/quiet. I can't tell you how many times I've started to comment on a Facebook post about it, respond to an email about it or even include details in this blog about every lie or insult that's been spoken in the past week. Every single time I hear the two quotes of the weekend (along with Cindy's "SHHHHHH!"):
"Your silence will point out the fools in the whole situation"
and
"it is God's will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you." (1 Peter 2:15 NLT)
Now... some people have said that it sounds as if I'm calling the other party a fool and using the words to my advantage. On the contrary... by reminding myself of both of these quotes, I am keeping from making a fool of myself. I played the fool with one reaction. I won't do it again. Not this time. The Bible verse also sticks in my mind as a reminder that I should be too busy doing His work to care what anyone is saying about me. If my focus stays on Him, and I keep my life honorable in His eyes, it doesn't matter what lies or insults get thrown my way. Those arrows will miss every time and fall innocently at my feet. I don't have to prove myself to anyone here. I don't have to point out the lies of others. I just have to lead my life in accordance to His Word and His direction. Being quiet is so difficult for me, but I've learned the hard way how vitally important it is, and how much God can teach me in those silent times.
The next time you are met with fiery arrows from the enemy, simply turn off the auto-react and auto-reply function in your mind and tune in to what God is trying to teach you or show you in the situation. You will be amazed.
