Silence in Our Lives

(1,381 words, 7 minutes read time.)

Years ago, I found myself gradually losing interest in most secular television, movies, and music.

I became increasingly aware of the Lord and of the effect these forms of entertainment had on my mind and heart.

Much of it left me feeling discouraged, restless, or focused on things that were not of God.

As I grew closer to the Lord, I felt led to avoid that which seemed to distance me from Him, even if only for a few moments.

Over time, silence began to grow in my life.

That silence brought a greater awareness of my own thoughts and a greater ability to examine them in a meaningful way.

Silence also creates space for prayer—for pondering heavenly things and for speaking heart-to-heart with Jesus, Mary, the holy Angels and saints, and even remembering the faithful departed.

I am very grateful for the quiet, hidden life the Lord has given me through my disabilities and inability to work. It gives me the freedom to pursue a more prayerful life, grow closer to Jesus, write, and offer my sufferings and prayers for souls in need.

I suppose that if I were called to live more actively in the world, the Lord would provide the graces needed for that vocation as well.

Yet I have noticed that many souls, as they grow in deeper union with God, begin to desire greater silence and prayer. They intentionally make room for it in their lives and sometimes even make significant changes in order to protect that sacred space with Him.

I still have a way to go before living in a deep, ongoing recollection like that of Brother Lawrence and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, who both wrote about their interior lives with God.

But I aspire to it. And I look back with gratitude for the healing and growth the Lord has already brought about.

As the saints teach, God speaks to the heart in silence.

It is in times of silence and interior quiet that we grow in virtue and receive truths from His Word and inspirations from the Lord.

St. Basil the Great once observed:

“Silence is the beginning of purifying the soul.”

God’s communication is often like a whisper to the soul. Noise and busyness drown Him out.

This is why we need times of silence in our day.

Silence in daily mental prayer.

Silence and prayer before Mass begins.

Silence and thanksgiving following Mass.

Can we think of more ways to incorporate silence and listening for God?

So often we fill our homes with podcasts, our cars with satellite radio, and our minds with constant activity.

Yet we may be missing special encounters with the Lord—messages of love from Him, inspirations for growth, gentle corrections, and invitations to draw closer.

Are we allowing ourselves to be loved?

Why are we afraid of silence?

It is in moments of silence that what is hidden in our hearts comes into the light.

Our fears, wounds, sins, attachments, and loneliness are not revealed so that we may be condemned or discouraged. They are brought into the light so they can be touched by the Lord’s love and mercy.

 I remember years ago, early in my reversion, lying awake at night while my mind flooded with fears, severe temptations, and painful memories. Silence was not always comforting. At times, it seemed to amplify everything that was wounded within me.

Later, I learned to quietly sing Marian hymns, either interiorly or aloud, filling my heart and mind with holy thoughts and the loving presence of Our Lady. During other periods of my life, depression weighed heavily upon me, making it difficult to be alone with my thoughts. My medications were not yet well adjusted. I was often alone throughout the day. There were wounds that had not yet healed, spiritual struggles that had not yet been addressed, and burdens I had not yet learned to surrender to the Lord.

Yet through prayer, the Sacraments, therapy, holy friendships, and God’s patient grace, healing gradually came. The Lord did not heal everything at once. Little by little, He brought light into the darkness and peace into the chaos.

Ironically, it was often through periods of silence, mental prayer, and honest self-reflection before God that I became more aware of what needed healing. Silence has been one of the Lord’s greatest instruments in helping me seek Him, know myself more honestly, and allow His grace to work more deeply within my soul.

What we surrender to Him can be healed.

What we confess can be forgiven.

What we entrust to Him can be transformed.

God does not reveal our hearts to shame us. He reveals them because He desires to draw us closer to Himself.

Your heart is His throne here on earth.

I once heard a woman admit how uncomfortable silence was during a prayer service. She simply was not accustomed to it.

How often is this the case in our lives?

I do wonder.

We do not want to wait until the day we meet God face-to-face to finally allow everything hidden in our hearts to surface and finally listen to Him.

The rest is in His hands, but He reminds us throughout Scripture to be prepared. We are called to a life of prayer and to knowing Jesus interiorly.

Loneliness may be one of the enemy’s greatest lies.

Around the world, monks, friars, nuns, religious sisters, hermits, and even many lay faithful spend long periods in silence.

Yet their silence is filled with Presence—the awareness that God is always with them and always loving them.

Our humanity may leave us feeling lonely at times, but as we grow spiritually, we become more and more companions of the Lord throughout the day and night.

Not only is the Lord with you, but so are Mary, the saints, and the holy Angels.

Because of my health and other limitations, aside from Mass, I am not always able to travel frequently to a church or chapel.

I am grateful to be able to join virtual Eucharistic Adoration and spend time with Jesus throughout the day, united with mental prayer, the Breviary, the Rosary, the Divine Mercy Chaplet, the Examen, and other prayers.

I also keep EWTN playing quietly at times, which helps me remain spiritually nourished and connected.

Why do people avoid silence?

Why do we avoid what is in our hearts?

I would once again urge souls to prepare for Heaven sooner rather than later.

If a person continually seeks noise and distraction, it may be because turning inward hurts—and hurts deeply.

The saints teach that we are called to daily mental prayer, such as Lectio Divina or prayer with the Gospels.

If we are called to this deep encounter with God day after day throughout our lives, I can only imagine how much will come pouring forth when we enter eternity.

One day, all noise will cease.

We will stand before God and see Him face-to-face.

Why wait until then to begin listening?

He is speaking to your heart even now.

Let us prepare for Heaven—today.

Suggested Reading

The Practice of the Presence of God — Brother Lawrence
Story of a Soul — St. Thérèse of Lisieux
The Way of Trust and Love — Fr. Jacques Philippe 
Time For God — Fr. Jacques Philippe 
Into The Deep — Dan Burke
Books and resources from Bob Schuchts and the John Paul II Healing Center
Talks and resources by Sr. Miriam James Heidland

A Moment to Reflect:

How comfortable are you with silence? Do you find yourself seeking moments of quiet with the Lord, or filling every space with activity and noise?

Has God ever revealed something in your heart during mental prayer, Eucharistic Adoration, or a time of stillness that led to healing or a deeper conversion?

What is one small way you could create more silence in your daily life this week so you can listen more attentively to His voice?

I’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences in the comments. Let us encourage one another to seek the Lord more faithfully in the silence, and please keep me in your prayers, as I will be praying for you.

Used With Permission: www.AdoreHim.com
(C) 2018-26 Lindsey Grace Mariella