I recently remember asking an older believer what his thoughts were about those seasons of silence we all go through. He quickly responded, “Well hun…that’s when God is trying to show us what we’re made of.”
Sometimes, we need to look in the mirror of God’s ‘silence test’ to reveal those areas where we are weak…where our faith is shaky…and where our pride is getting in the way.
Sometimes, we experience seasons of silence because God is testing us.
TESTED BY SILENCE
Anything of value must be pass a three-fold test :
Authenticity – Is it the real deal? Is it genuine or a fake?
Flaws – Does it have imperfections?
Value – What is it worth in today’s market?
1 Peter 1:6-7 tells us that the trials we go through reveal the genuineness of our faith and are much more precious than gold. When we are tested by God’s silence, it’s reveals if we truly believe what we say we believe; how strong (or weak) our faith is; and how will God use it in your life and the lives of others
Hezekiah was described as a king who trusted the Lord and kept His commands. He had a great testimony, but a perfect man, he was not. Hezekiah had a pride problem and 2 Chronicles 32:31 tells us that God chose to deal with his pride by withdrawing from him in a specific area. He wanted Hezekiah to be aware of his own propensity for pride.
Sometimes God chooses to step back and be silent in a certain area of our lives so that we can see ourselves as we really are. Flawed people in need of a flawless God. Seeing ourselves as we really are prevents us from thinking more highly of ourselves than we ought and gives us compassion for others. It’s hard to throw stones when you know you deserve a few of your own.
Nothing you go through is wasted, dear one. Perhaps you are experiencing the “Silence Test” in order to reveal how real your faith is, to unveil your weakness or to place you in a position to minister to others. Remember, nothing is given value unless it has first been tested.
As we walk through the Word and discover more about those times when it’s hard to hear from God in a specific area of our lives, it’s important to remember that regardless of why we are experiencing a season of silence, for the Christian, God’s silence NEVER equals God’s absence – God’s silence NEVER equals His inactivity. He is consistently working behind the scenes of our lives for our good and His glory!
Have you ever experienced the “Silence Test”? Is your faith the real deal? Does your faith stand when your world is falling apart? Are you weak when you pride tries to be strong?
Come back tomorrow as we discover how the Bible shows us that we sometimes experience seasons of silence when God is just about to reveal Himself in a way we would never be able to see otherwise.
I have experienced the “Silence Test” many times. At first it was kind of discouraging to me, but then I soon realized that in the times when God was silent, I seeked him more. And that is what he wants us to do, is seek him in everything. So I think in his slience, he is building our faith and acknowledgement of how much we need him in our lives.
I do believe my faith is the “real deal”, however it is not as strong as I would like for it to be in some areas of my life. And I know by not having the infinite faith in those areas is holding back the blessings that God wants to give me. As I have grown in my relationship with God, the stronger my faith becomes, and the willingness to step out in that faith gets a little easier.
There are many times when I am weak and pride tries to overpower. I am learning to fight my weakness with the word.
Hi Amanda ~ It’s good to know we’re in good company of those who have gone before us. Thankful God’s Word gives us examples of other’s who have walked through testings of silence and came through the victoriously.
You are so right…when we are tested by God’s silence, we are compelled to draw closer to Him in the process! :-)
Great post. I always think of the ‘Silent test’ as God’s way of drawing us to search for him more. Absence makes the heart grow fonder type thing. I have had many a time when I have struggled with those times of silence but I look back now and see how much I have grown, how my faith has deepened and how much I now seek him out in all things.
Hi Bek ~ You’re so right…we grow in those places of silence where we are driven to seek His face. Thankful he knows what we need even when we don’t! :-)
I have definitely experienced those times of silence. At the time, I didn’t know that’s what they were! I actually learned about the ‘silent times of God’ during a conference with Dr. Whitney last year.
They are indeed a growing time. My wonderful, minister husband had a massive stroke at the age of 39. After learning to walk and talk again, he throat remained paralyzed. His voice was extremely impaired and he could not swallow anything. All nourishment and meds were delivered through a feeding tube. Many, many prayers went up: for financial well-being (we’d lost our income except for my tiny job!), my husband’s full healing, and strength and faith to get through this time. After being told by specialists that after two years the swallowing would not come back, God healed him 2 years, 1 month and 2 days after the stroke.
Looking back on those two years (and the other times of silence during my lifetime), God was so faithful to make sure we had everything we needed – including strength and faith for the journey. My faith definitely grew during that time. In fact, people say I was completely different person as far as spiritual maturity.
Times of silence can be hard – but they are so worth it!
Hi Robin ~ As I read about your journey through the valley of silence, my heart broke for you and your family! I’m so thankful God brought healing to your husband and strength to your faith as a result of the painfully silent journey!
A beautiful illustration of how God’s silence does not equal God’s absence…nor does God’s silence equal His inactivity. He is constantly working behind the scenes of our lives for our good and His glory!
What an awesome God we serve!
Yes we do serve and awesome and a FAITHFUL God!
I have learned that when I think God is being Silent, that is the time to run to his open arms, much like a child does to their real father when they are hurt or discouraged. He may seem far away, but I have found that he is always there with me and as we all know Satan is there to destroy our faith, but if we run to the open arms of Christ, he will be there sooth our pain and bring the much needed comfort. God and I have had some serious talks lately and once again he never left my side!
Hi Kelly ~ So glad you popped over here and shared that with us! I love the beautiful illustration you shared about how our Heaven Father waits with open arms to soothe our pain and bring comfort to our hurting hearts!
Thinking about that made my heart smile big time! :-)
I am grateful that God never leaves or forsakes us — even when there are times we might not hear from Him concerning a certain situation.
I have learned that if I don’t have new direction from Him, then I stand on the last step He told me to take.
You’re right, silence NEVER equals God’s absence.
Thanks for sharing.
Love in Him,
Beth
Beth ~ I’m so glad you’re digging through this week’s series! And I also love what you said, “I have learned that if I don’t have a new direction from Him, then I stand on the last step He told me to take.” (LOVE THAT!)
It reminds me of what Elisabeth Elliott once said… “When you’re not sure what to do next, just do the next thing.”
:-)
I recently experienced the “Silence Test” The Silence had been very difficult to bear and I did not understand. I attended a spiritual retreat and knew that they planned to do a “listening prayer” with a group of intersessors for me. I prayed fervently for the Lord not to be silent- but to speak to me. First thing during the prayer I was told the Lord had a scripture for me from Isaiah 62 and they inserted my name in it…”For Lisa’s sake, I will not be silent, I will speak…” The way that He broke the silence was so powerful that it “Rocked my World” and made the long wait worth it all. For those enduring the “test” – hang in there.
Lisa ~ I love how you shared your own journey not only about the difficulty of the silence, the beauty of when God breaks His silence! What a sweet time that is – when God breaks His silence!
So glad you’re digging with us! :-)
How long was he silent with you? I had such an amazing relationship with him I felt he would never have to be silent with me. I asked him who I am because I suffer from constant anxiety and it takes over me and the next day he was silent. He’s been silent with me for almost 2 months now and I’m getting very discouraged but I’m not gunna give up. What do you think ?
Glory be to God Ǎ̜̣̍м̣̣̥̇̊ glad Ǎ̜̣̍м̣̣̥̇̊ part of this glorious family,our God is Gð.