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The Power of Silence

In a world filled with constant noise and chatter, the power of silence often goes overlooked. Silence can be one of the most potent tools in our spiritual toolbox, especially in moments of conflict or uncertainty. Have you ever heard the term "a deafening silence?" It's interesting because of its irony. I think of something deafening as being so loud it may shake the walls or make you want to plug your ears. Yet silence isn't loud in that way. It communicates a lot without any noise whatsoever.

I've observed strong, godly women who know when to be quiet and not use words at all. Sometimes, the wise way to diffuse a situation or get it where it needs to be is to withhold a comment or refrain from saying anything. My mother-in-law, Evelyn Roberts, was amazing at knowing when to keep quiet, and she had the strength and discipline to do it. She was a great teacher of how to handle difficult situations well. Many times, I thought she should lose her composure, but she didn't. Many times, I thought she should say nothing, and yet she had the perfect thing to say. Evelyn had a unique communication system with heaven. As she listened to the leading of the Holy Spirit, I saw her make the right decisions more often than not.

One of the most memorable experiences I still think about was when a person cut Evelyn off on the road. We had a carful of people heading to film a television program, including Evelyn’s husband, Oral Roberts, my husband Richard, and me. The other driver was moving wildly on the road, making unnecessary hand gestures and shouting obscenities. As this person wove dangerously around us, Evelyn was cool and calm, and we safely got to our destination. When I asked why she hadn't said or done something in reaction, she remained silent. She knew that was not the time or the place to talk about the situation as there were other important matters of the day. So, I simply waited until she was ready to talk.

Several days later, Evelyn addressed the situation by asking me, "Do you know why I had to keep my composure and not react in any way at all, whatsoever?" I said, "No. What was going through your thoughts at that time?" Evelyn simply responded, "I could not afford to react to someone acting so ridiculously.” She had to take care of the precious cargo on board.

Talk about knowing your priorities! Evelyn was not one to react. She was one to respond. And she would respond the way the Holy Spirit led her, which sometimes meant saying nothing at all.

As valuable as silence can be, there are times when it may not be appropriate. I don’t believe that silence should be used to avoid necessary conversations or neglect addressing important issues. While silence can be a sign of strength, it can also be a barrier to growth and resolution. In determining when to speak and when to remain silent, I believe it is crucial to seek guidance from God. Romans 8:14–16 reminds us that the Spirit bears witness with our spirit, guiding us in our decisions. By listening to the “still small voice,” or soft, “gentle whisper” (1 Kings 19:12 NKJV, NIV) of God, we can discern when to speak with wisdom and when to maintain silence.

Strength Builder of the Day

Do you remember particular times when remaining silent was beneficial? Are there times that you can recall when speaking up was particularly beneficial? Consider praying for wisdom and guidance to discern when to speak up and when to remain silent to properly and gracefully navigate conversations.