The Discipline of Quietness

How is your soul doing?

‘Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise Him again- my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:5-6)

In this verse, King David is speaking to himself. His soul was discouraged (having lost confidence or enthusiasm; dishearten.) His should was in distress, in turmoil.

I can’t help thinking about the many times my soul was discouraged to the point of despair. How many times did I withdraw to a quiet place to try to calm my heart, my soul? But no matter where I went my soul could not experience peace.

The truth is, our soul craves rest. It doesn’t matter how many hours we sleep or try to go away to a quiet place. If our soul is not at rest, we can never have peace. Ever lay down and try to sleep, only to find that your mind and heart are not at rest? Are you full of anxiety and worry?

Unfortunately, we live in a world cluttered with noise and distraction. But the noise in our mind is what keeps us up at night. At times it becomes so loud, that it limits our ability to pay attention and focus.

I remember reading about the prophet Elijah. At the end of all his victories he was worn out, depressed, and hopeless. During this period, he felt that God was a million miles away. His soul, like David’s, was in turmoil and restless.

So, what did Elijah do? He fled to a cave, to a dark, isolated, and quiet place to find rest. Sound familiar? However, this place did not give Elijah what he needed. Instead, it only added to his turmoil and depression. Elijah’s should was not at rest, no matter how quiet and isolated the cave was.

But something amazing happened to Elijah in that quiet, dark, and isolated place. God found him and asked, “What are you doing here Elijah? Get out of this cave.”

God found Elijah at his lowest point and lovingly elevated him and restored him. Elijah knew God’s strength and HIs power. But he had never experienced God’s still quiet voice. Some of us, like Elijah, need to be repositioned and change the way we think so that we can receive what the Lord has for us.

Like David and Elijah, I too have experienced seasons where my soul was filled with fears and worries. No matter where I went or how much I tried to quiet the fears, doubts, and loneliness, I could not find rest.

But one day, I cried out to Jesus, and He found me in the midst of my storm. No, He wasn’t in the noise, in the thunder, or in a supernatural event. Rather, He was in a quiet still voice whispering to me, “You’re not alone. I’m with you.”

I don’t know what you may be experiencing today, but I can assure you that you’re not alone. Our Lord is right there in the midst of our storms. All we need to do is listen.

David penned a lovely song in Psalm 46 to remind us of a God Who is ever- present even during the worst of times. The song goes like this:

Psalm 46:1-3 NIV “God is our refuge and strength, an ever present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give away and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.” Selah (Pause and reflect)