Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Reflection - Number Our Days - The Sound of Silence

Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 28, "The Sound of Silence", Page 134.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.


Ultimate peace is silent through the density of life.
PHOTO: Ultimate peace is silent through the density of life.
- C. S. Lewis

Silence, I've come to believe, is the answer to many of life's contradictions, so I'm learning to say less these days.

Silence was often our Lord's way. In the face of severe provocation, He "remained silent and gave no answer."  (Mark 14:61) Jesus could have answered His critics, but "like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7 NASB)

There is awesome power in silence, especially in those overwhelmingly bad situations in which we are subject to harsh words from those we love. There, however, silence is most difficult, for loved ones have the greatest power to wound us. Yet, there silence is most essential, for we owe our own loved ones the greatest measure of forbearance (patient self-control; restraint and tolerance).

Silence forestalls angry reactions and bitter words that we may later regret and others may not forget. Silence gives us time to slow our thoughts and reorder them, perhaps to remind ourselves that the one who wounded us is weary, or worried, or otherwise out of sorts (not oneself). Silence gives us time to forgive.

Silence is also a means by which we may help others see themselves. As their voices reverberate in the quietness we offer, they may hear their unkind words and regret them. When we step aside and wait in stillness, we give God an opportunity to work through us. When we take up our own cause, we may frustrate His ultimate intention to use us to bring spiritual healing and health to others.

Silence can be the gentle answer that turns away anger. (Proverbs 15:1) Defensive reactions make things worse: they stir up anger. Restraint and silence relieve tension and restore peace. As James assures us, "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:18) Others begin to grow toward goodness through our example.

Finally, calm, unruffled silence is an eloquent and gracious reflection of God's unconditional love. Clement of Rome, a first century Christian, wrote, "Let [those who belong to Christ] demonstrate by silence the gentleness of their tongue; [and thus] let them show His love." (1 Clement 21:7)
Picture posted by Elizabeth Gadd Photography on Friday, 07 May 2021 at 10:46 pm
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Ultimate peace is silent through the density of life. [138]
- C. S. Lewis


Ultimate peace is silent through the density of life. - C. S. Lewis
PHOTO: Ultimate peace is silent through the density of life. - C. S. Lewis
Picture posted by Elizabeth Gadd Photography on Tuesday, 19 June 2018 at 11:55 am
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrmKybwk8WukgAuwIAco1pq5Km3f6UifVcf6WSWvCdjTjTtgnSOju3-38co_gBl7Ki8dTOnhgYJcTz9kdHmTpCgB74iauEkFfvvmAPQbzEkKh4z5R02xFD9NHxLzegFlcf0OkQyjqMPi8/s1917/35628929_2024551430891476_7866990054466387968_n.jpg
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https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=2024551424224810&set=a.204770501020614


Silence, I've come to believe, is the answer to many of life's contradictions, so I'm learning to say less these days.

Silence was often our Lord's way. In the face of severe provocation, He "remained silent and gave no answer."  (Mark 14:61) [139] Jesus could have answered His critics, but "like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7 NASB) [140]


Silence was often our Lord's way.
PHOTO: Silence was often our Lord's way. In the face of severe provocation, He "remained silent and gave no answer."  (Mark 14:61) Jesus could have answered His critics, but "like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7 NASB) 
Picture posted by Posterazzi.com
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There is awesome power in silence, especially in those overwhelmingly bad situations in which we are subject to harsh words from those we love. There, however, silence is most difficult, for loved ones have the greatest power to wound us. Yet, there silence is most essential, for we owe our own loved ones the greatest measure of forbearance (patient self-control; restraint and tolerance).


There is awesome power in silence, especially in those overwhelmingly bad situations in which we are subject to harsh words from those we love.
PHOTO: There is awesome power in silence, especially in those overwhelmingly bad situations in which we are subject to harsh words from those we love. There, however, silence is most difficult, for loved ones have the greatest power to wound us. Yet, there silence is most essential, for we owe our own loved ones the greatest measure of forbearance
Picture posted by  河合薫 Hé hé xūn on 18 January 2017
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https://mine.place/page/a2c88129-98d3-4206-b0ce-e4d02b8c7017


Silence forestalls angry reactions and bitter words that we may later regret and others may not forget. Silence gives us time to slow our thoughts and reorder them, perhaps to remind ourselves that the one who wounded us is weary, or worried, or otherwise out of sorts (not oneself). Silence gives us time to forgive.


Silence forestalls angry reactions and bitter words that we may later regret and others may not forget.
PHOTO: Silence forestalls angry reactions and bitter words that we may later regret and others may not forget. Silence gives us time to slow our thoughts and reorder them, perhaps to remind ourselves that the one who wounded us is weary, or worried, or otherwise out of sorts. Silence gives us time to forgive.
Picture posted by Tattooteddy on 22 August 2011 at 16:15 - Portrait of Elena Anaya by Tattooteddy on Stars Portraits
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http://www.stars-portraits.com/it/portrait-166623.html
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/09/reflection-imitating-christ-difference.html


Silence is also a means by which we may help others see themselves. As their voices reverberate in the quietness we offer, they may hear their unkind words and regret them. When we step aside and wait in stillness, we give God an opportunity to work through us. When we take up our own cause, we may frustrate His ultimate intention to use us to bring spiritual healing and health to others.


Silence is also a means by which we may help others see themselves.
PHOTO: Silence is also a means by which we may help others see themselves. As their voices reverberate in the quietness we offer, they may hear their unkind words and regret them. When we step aside and wait in stillness, we give God an opportunity to work through us. When we take up our own cause, we may frustrate His ultimate intention to use us to bring spiritual healing and health to others.
Picture by mary-petroff, Digital Art / Photomanipulation / Dark, ©2011-2018 mary-petroff - Dracula's Bride Modern Edition
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtEp-33AsN6YK0JHI7z9xZKLPX3EbwRAx78-H08r1nBefm0zjbBbywdjGfdbaaxd-sq74KU9UNKEx7bJbWwvysndTNRC46oUJjO6mEPExkT0uM9pQ-tW-etA64D3PZjcpApr0GucvwcXE/s1600/dracula__s_bride_modern_edition_by_mary_petroff-d3fjw49.jpg
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/09/reflection-imitating-christ-difference.html


Silence can be the gentle answer that turns away anger. (Proverbs 15:1) [141] Defensive reactions make things worse: they stir up anger. Restraint and silence relieve tension and restore peace. As James assures us, "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:18) [142] Others begin to grow toward goodness through our example.


Silence can be the gentle answer that turns away anger.
PHOTO: Silence can be the gentle answer that turns away anger. (Proverbs 15:1) Defensive reactions make things worse: they stir up anger. Restraint and silence relieve tension and restore peace. As James assures us, "Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:18) Others begin to grow toward goodness through our example.
Picture courtesy of Geralt - Pixabay
Picture posted by Knowing Jesus
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https://dailyverse.knowing-jesus.com/proverbs-15-1


Finally, calm, unruffled silence is an eloquent and gracious reflection of God's unconditional love. Clement of Rome, a first century Christian, wrote, "Let [those who belong to Christ] demonstrate by silence the gentleness of their tongue; [and thus] let them show His love." (1 Clement 21:7) [143]
 
 
Calm, unruffled silence is an eloquent and gracious reflection of God's unconditional love.
PHOTO: Calm, unruffled silence is an eloquent and gracious reflection of God's unconditional love. Clement of Rome, a first century Christian, wrote, "Let [those who belong to Christ] demonstrate by silence the gentleness of their tongue; [and thus] let them show His love." (1 Clement 21:7)
Painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds - The Infant Samuel
Picture posted by Meisterdrucke
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2021/05/reflection-number-our-days-mixed-up-in.html


Silence is the answer to many life’s contradictions.
PHOTO: "Dear Lord, help us to learn to say less because silence is the answer to many life’s contradictions. C. S. Lewis wrote that ultimate peace is silent through the density of life.

We have reason to believe that is true because silence was often our Lord's way. In the face of severe provocation, He ‘remained silent and gave no answer.’ Jesus could have answered His critics, but ‘like a sheep that is silent before its shearers, so He did not open His mouth.’

Lord, help us to realise that there is awesome power in silence, especially in those overwhelmingly bad situations in which we are subject to harsh words from those we love. There, silence is most difficult, for loved ones have the greatest power to wound us. Yet, there silence is most essential, for we owe our own loved ones the greatest measure of forbearance.

May our silence forestall angry reactions and bitter words that we may later regret and others may not forget. May Silence gives us time to slow our thoughts and reorder them, perhaps to remind ourselves that the one who wounded us is weary, or worried, or otherwise out of sorts. Also, silence may give us time to forgive.

Lord, may our silence be a means by which we may help others see themselves. As their voices reverberate in the quietness we offer, they may hear their unkind words and regret them. When we step aside and wait in stillness, we give God an opportunity to work through us. When we take up our own cause, we may frustrate His ultimate intention to use us to bring spiritual healing and health to others.

We pray that silence can be the gentle answer that turns away anger. Defensive reactions make things worse: they stir up anger. Restraint and silence relieve tension and restore peace. As James assures us, ‘Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.’ May others begin to grow toward goodness through our example.

Lord, may our calm, unruffled silence be an eloquent and gracious reflection of God's unconditional love. Just as Clement of Rome, a first century Christian, wrote, ‘Let [those who belong to Christ] demonstrate by silence the gentleness of their tongue; [and thus] let them show His love.’

Through Lord Jesus Christ we pray. Amen!"
Picture posted by Elizabeth Gadd Photography on Sunday, 11 July 2021 at 11:00 am -  "Mystical Meadows"
Reflection - Number Our Days - The Sound of Silence
Source (book): "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Chapter 28, "The Sound of Silence", Page 134.
By David Roper, Pastor, and regular and popular writer for Our Daily Bread.



"Faithful to the end", A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon

'Faithful to the end', A Preacher's Exposition of 2 Timothy, @ 2014 by Robert M. Solomon<br>
Reflection - Faithful to the end (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2017/06/reflection-faithful-to-end-links.html


"Finding rest for the soul" Responding to Jesus' Invitation in Matthew 11:28-29, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
Reflection - Finding rest for the soul (Links)
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2018/10/reflection-finding-rest-for-soul-links.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART I-III, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-i.html


"God in Pursuit" Lessons from the Book of Jonah, © 2016 by Robert M. Solomon

'Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
Reflection - God in Pursuit (Links) - PART IV, posted on Saturday, 10 August 2019
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2019/08/reflection-god-in-pursuit-links-part-iv.html 


"Songs of Christmas", The Stories and Significance of 20 Well-Loved Carols, © 2018 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Songs of Christmas (Links), posted on Friday, 24 April 2020
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/04/reflection-songs-of-christmas-links.html
 

"Growing Old Gracefully", Following Jesus to the End, © 2019 by Robert M. Solomon

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part I - III (Links), posted on Wednesday, 09 December 2020
https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part.html
 

Reflection - Growing Old Gracefully, Part IV - V (Links), posted on Thursday, 22 April 2021
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https://veryfatoldman.blogspot.com/2020/12/reflection-growing-old-gracefully-part_9.html
 


Reference
[1] From "Teach Us to Number Our Days", Copyright © 2008 by David Roper, ISBN 978-981-11-7184-0, Chapter 28, "The Sound of Silence", Page 134-136.

[138] Lewis always depicts the atmosphere of the natural world as thick and dense. In such an environment it is difficult to think clearly and act appropriately.

[139] Mark 14:61. Here Mark uses a word for silence that suggests both silence and peaceful calm.

[140] Isaiah 53:7 NASB

[141] Proverbs 15:1

[142] James 3:18

[143] 1 Clement 21:7


Links


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