Healing With The Spiritual Discipline Of Silence is the last article in The Peaceful Haven Spiritual Disciplines Series. It is the endmost because, well, it’s been the hardest for me to master. Actually, I have not completely acquired this practice. However, I have gained God-given wisdom over the past several years that I am excited to share with you today.
My big takeaway and a complete surprise too is that practicing the presence of God through silence is healing. Yep, and healing in multiple areas of your life too…physically, emotionally, and spiritually!
The most difficult part of practicing silence in your daily routine is distractions (I am a mother of six) and also, for me an uncomfortable feeling of aloneness, yes, even though I know that Jesus is with me. Traditionally the Spiritual Disciplines of Silence and Solitude are linked as one application. After much contemplation, I have separated them into two. Simply put silence is quiet, the absence of speech, reflection, and listening. It is time spent in the presence of God. It is not the absence of all sound, just human stimuli. The Spiritual Discipline of Silence enables you to listen to your Father in Heaven.
Healing With The Spiritual Discipline Of Silence
Practice the Spiritual Discipline of Fixed Hour Prayer
Start your prayer time with two minutes of silence at the beginning and end of your time with God. I have to be honest that this was very hard for me to participate in at first, a wandering mind and all that. Now, when my mind meanders I repeat a quote to get me back on track. I say, ” Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” My husband repeats the phrase, “Lord I am here.” Practice will help and make sure to be patient with yourself.
Build in Daily Quiet Moments
Pour yourself a cup of tea or coffee, part of living a Christ-Centered Slow Lifestyle is building quiet, respite, and rejuvenation into your day. Here is some scientific evidence to help motivate you. The National Health Interview Survey found an estimated 21.0% of adults aged ≥18 years had difficulty following a conversation amid background noise, 11.2% had ringing in the ears (tinnitus), and 5.9% had sensitivity to everyday sounds. Compared to people living just 100 years ago we live with constant noise pollution which affects the nervous system. Auditory noises can stimulate the autonomic nervous system and endocrine system. This type of noise may lead to cognitive disorders, like attention deficits, communication difficulties, learning disabilities, and depression. (NIH 2016) Children need silence too…
Take a Silent Retreat
My son gets the credit for this one. Every year he heads off to a silent retreat at a monastery in Michigan. He has found it incredibly beneficial. You don’t have to be a practicing Catholic to go, we are evangelical Christians if you have to put a label on us. I also practice a silent retreat of sorts right in my own home by putting a sign on my door. I usually take a morning silent retreat from 8 am-1 pm. The very first sign that I need to take one is that I start feeling overwhelmed, easily irritated, and anxious. My family has been incredibly supportive of this practice and I have found the routine transformative. Just this week I took a whole week of silent mornings to prepare for writing this post.
“Silence is one of the deepest disciplines of the Spirit
simply because it puts the stopper on all self-justification.
One of the fruits of silence is the freedom to let God be our justifier.
We don’t need to straighten others out.”
― Richard J. Foster
On a personal level, as a person who has been diagnosed with seven different autoimmune diseases, deals with chronic illness, and struggles with anxiety, the practice of the Spiritual Discipline of Silence has made a huge difference in my healing journey. I function best when I practice silence. My body needs it. My spirit needs it. My emotional health needs it.
GO DEEPER
YOUR TURN
Which of the Spiritual Disciplines gives you the most trouble?
Blessings,
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Thanks so much for this very good blog post. I absolutely love this blog!