Silence is Painful!
July 14, 2014//
Topics to Dig Into
Mark 6:31-32 (NLT) – Then Jesus said, “Let’s go off by
ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
He said this because there were so many people coming and going that
Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where
they could be alone.
ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.”
He said this because there were so many people coming and going that
Jesus and his apostles didn’t even have time to eat. So they left by boat for a quiet place, where
they could be alone.
Ah, quiet and alone. Does that sound nice? If I could offer you 15 minutes alone with
just your thoughts and nothing to do, would you like that?
just your thoughts and nothing to do, would you like that?
Apparently not, according to a
recent study (https://bostonglobe.com/news/science/2014/07/03/idle/J2LpEcTdZzLykRCTnZ80fL/story.html). Most people prefer to self-inflict pain than
to be alone with their thoughts for 15 minutes.
That’s wild! No wonder so many
people have difficulty establishing a habit of daily meditation!
recent study (https://bostonglobe.com/news/science/2014/07/03/idle/J2LpEcTdZzLykRCTnZ80fL/story.html). Most people prefer to self-inflict pain than
to be alone with their thoughts for 15 minutes.
That’s wild! No wonder so many
people have difficulty establishing a habit of daily meditation!
I started this scripture ministry 3
years ago for a group of women who claimed they didn’t have time for quiet daily
devotions and prayer. Maybe it wasn’t
about time. Maybe they were afraid to be
quiet and alone. Reading scripture is
wonderful, but the goal is to ponder it and grow closer to God by doing so.
years ago for a group of women who claimed they didn’t have time for quiet daily
devotions and prayer. Maybe it wasn’t
about time. Maybe they were afraid to be
quiet and alone. Reading scripture is
wonderful, but the goal is to ponder it and grow closer to God by doing so.
Is it difficult for you to be quiet and alone with no
distractions?
distractions?
Follow
me on Twitter @Cathy_Chung! Join the #seedsofscripture conversation!
me on Twitter @Cathy_Chung! Join the #seedsofscripture conversation!
#seedsofscripture
#blogboost @nationalpost
#blogboost @nationalpost
6 Comments
Leave a Comment
Spend a few minutes to plant a quick Seed. Or stay longer and plant a whole garden.
No, I crave silence and solitude. But I know extroverts who really can't handle it. I keep reading how the longest anyone's spent in an anechoic chamber is 45 minutes, and I think, "Oh, easy – I could beat THAT record!" but then realize that with that much "silence," the ringing in my ears – not to mention, as they say, the sound of blood pulsing through my veins, my stomach growling, and myriad other bodily sounds – might become a deafening roar. And so maybe I should settle for a tranquil spot outdoors – or enjoy the early morning solitude, before others are up or just after they've gone to work and school. No, I'm not afraid to be quiet and alone, and the only thing that makes me "claustrophobic" is a crowd.
I'm with you Holly. I love quiet. Even background music is distracting. I love my early mornings and my garden!
Well, it's difficult in the sense that there's a lot going on around me all the time LOL But I don't mind being alone with my feelings and my thoughts! In fact, my car radio went out not long ago, and I ended up really enjoying the 25 minute to work in silence!
Kristen silence in your car is perfect for thinking, rolling ideas over in your mind, reflecting on the day. We do ourselves a disservice by always being stimulated. – Cathy
The more I'm able to step into the solitude, the better i feel and I can make decsions with ease and grace. It isn't always easy because the mind is jumping all the time especially with a baby.
Thanks for sharing!
Dorit Sasson
Giving A Voice to Your Story
http://www.GivingaVoicetotheVoicelessBook.com
What you say, Cathy, is so true. Being alone with one's thoughts can be pretty scary – leaves room for guilt, worries, frustration – whatever you have on your list. That's why so many people don't sit still, fill their time with activities, leave the TV/radio on as background noise. The trick I use is to stand at the gate with a big broom and "swish" the negative away as I beckon to the lovely thoughts and memories I have collected over the years. The best time for me is as I fall asleep at night. I make a deliberate conscious effort to make my last thoughts of the day positive and happy. Thanks for your thought-provoking spoonfuls of good! HUGS <3 (Judy CTCS)