You’ve heard “Silence is golden”. The roots of this phrase go back to a proverb “Speech is silver, silence is golden” extolling the value of silence over speech. I’ve had to work really hard to learn the discipline of silence in my life. My wife says I’m always making noise. I can be sitting on the couch, just-sitting-there, and she says I’m breathing too loud. According to her I drink my coffee or water too loud also.

Now granted, I’m an extrovert and can tend to be loud. My voice projects, and I admit I haven’t always been the quietest person to be around. However, over these past 4 years I’ve come to crave times of silence. Silence helps us recalibrate, Silence is restorative, Silence helps with recuperation. Silence is soothing and healing.

Our world is a restless and noisy place. Words, images, busyness, constant activity, make it almost impossible to cultivate quietness or silence. Have you noticed the inordinate number of people who always have something in their ears, Apple earbuds, Beats Studio Buds or some other wireless headphones? They act like silence or stillness is a disease. Some people have to play “white noise” in the background in the evening to fall asleep.

It’s a struggle, but silence is a must for living a life of balance and rest. Silence can be a bit scary. Silence is challenging, not only do you have to cease from activity and words, but we also must silence our minds and our thoughts. Constant noise, frenzied schedules, and busyness prevents silence and dulls our senses.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”  Literally it means cease striving. Stop, and stand silent. To be still and silent is not a suggestion. We are commanded to stop, to literally, relax, and rest. Habakkuk 2:20 says, “The Lord is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.” Stillness, and silence, allows you to hear from God. After all you can’t hear from Him if you are talking.

Try a few of the following to cultivate silence in your life:

When driving to or home from work turn off the radio, Spotify, iTunes, and simply be silent during the journey.

Silence your cell phone whenever possible. Turn off your notifications.

Set aside times at least weekly but preferably daily for a time of silence and stillness, (early in the morning, or as part of your evening routine).

Find a place at home, your special place, with no technology, or distractions to simply be silent and still.

Go for regular walks, especially if you can get to a park or wooded area without the headphones blaring in your ears. Ditch the phone.

In his book “Being with God” A.J. Sherill writes, “At some point, our relationship with God demands that we move away from words, away from noise, and away from the mental chatter and toward discovering God in the quiet.”

• YouTube