Teach Me Silence

Perhaps, for many, the sound of silence drives the mouth to speak. How many times do we wish we could hit rewind and take back the words spoken in haste before thinking through a situation? How often have resentment, pain, and distrust caused us to speak in retaliation? It only makes things worse. Most of us, if we are truthful, have made that mistake more than once. Or perhaps we have said something about someone else, true or not, that we wish we could take back. How we would love a do-over. Sad to say, do-overs are not always possible and are not guaranteed. However, we do not have to beat ourselves up because our blessing is found in the fact that we serve a God of second chances. Each day God’s blessings are refreshed and renewed. This does not mean we do not need to confess our sins to the Lord and apologize to the ones we have wounded. But God is so merciful, so full of grace, and so loving and kind.

He bids us draw near to Him and whispers in our ear, “My dear daughter, ‘This is the way, walk ye in it’ [Isaiah 30:21, KJV].” He bids us come into His presence and seek His face. His grace is extended with nail-scarred hands to each of us.

All we need to do is accept His gift of love.

Today, when you hear His voice, surrender all to Him and follow His will. He will direct your path. We can ask Him to teach us how to listen and how to think before we speak. He will take away the harsh tones and angry affects that mar our countenance.

He will take our heart of stone, give us a heart of flesh, and re-create in us His likeness and loveliness. I know He can do this for you because He is transforming my life. I am learning to listen more, speak less, and weigh my responses before I speak.

If you feel discouraged, remember this counsel and be encouraged: if you fail “and are betrayed into sin, do not feel then you cannot pray . . . but seek the Lord more earnestly.”* May the God of second chances refresh your life today!

Edna Andrews-Rose

* Ellen G. White, Our High Calling (Washington, DC: Review and Herald®, 1961), 49.