How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? — Psalm 13:1
It was impossible. My son was working on trying his best to stay quiet, but he could not contain himself. He would stay quiet for a few moments, and then forget he was trying to stay quiet. After making a sound, he would become upset and immediately tell me to start timing him again. I don’t think he ever made it for a full minute being quiet.
There are moments in life when we appreciate the quiet times. Perhaps we find ourselves wanting a few moments to ourselves and to avoid the distractions of life. But there are moments of silence that are more difficult to endure, like the moments when it seems that God Himself is silent.
When God seems silent, our hearts can quickly fill the quiet with doubt. We wonder if we’ve done something wrong, if we’ve been forgotten, or if God is distant. Scripture reminds us that silence does not mean absence. God’s quiet does not signal neglect. Often, it is in the waiting that our trust is formed and our dependence deepened.
Like my son reaching for another attempt, we are invited to keep bringing our hearts to God, even when the silence feels uncomfortable. Prayer in these seasons may not feel eloquent or confident. It may simply sound like David’s cry: How long, Lord? God welcomes that honesty. He remains near, even when His voice is not immediately heard.
If you find yourself in a season where God feels quiet, take heart. Silence is not the end of the story. The same God who hears our cries is still at work, even when we cannot yet hear His reply. Where in your life does God feel silent right now? How might you continue to bring that honest cry to Him?
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About Another Well Ministries
Another Well Ministries exists to help people slow down, listen deeply, and encounter God in the ordinary places of life. Through devotionals, reflections, and spiritual resources, we seek to create space for faith to be formed with honesty, grace, and hope.
To learn more about the heart of the ministry or explore additional resources, visit anotherwell.org.