Be Still and KnowSample

Learning to Be Silent

When I was a kid, I could never stop talking. My mouth ran like a machine gun, one word after another. Things didn’t improve much as a teenager, and teachers often reprimanded me for it.

As I grew older, I became more self-conscious and quiet, especially around people I didn’t know. I didn’t want to embarrass myself, so I forced myself to stay silent—but that silence came from insecurity, not wisdom. Later, when I began working in advertising, speaking was essential. Selling ideas required confidence, and over time, I found my voice. It was freeing to express myself, but I fell into a new trap. I started talking so much that I stopped listening. Even when I wasn’t speaking, my mind was busy rehearsing what I would say next.

That habit affected everything—my work, my relationships, and even my relationship with God. Sometimes I prayed, but never paused long enough to hear Him speak back. It reminded me of what Ecclesiastes teaches: “There is a time for everything… a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:1,7).

True silence is not about holding back words but about opening our hearts. When we learn to be quiet before God, He shapes our thoughts, heals our minds, and brings peace to our spirits.