Guest Post: What Does Your Silence Say?

What Does Your Silence Say?

Guest Post by Heart and Soul Health Coach Mike Fenton

     Have you heard the term actions speak louder than words? Often times our actions will convey our feelings more clearly than our words. One of those actions are what is sometimes called “the silent treatment” or “the cold shoulder”. What message are we sending out to others? How would you feel if it were happening to you? Silence may be golden at times, but not when someone is trying to communicate with you. In Mark 7:12 we are told “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”. So if we would not like to have someone treat us that way we should not treat others as such. If we want others to listen to what we have to say, we should be listening to what they have to say.

How about taking time to talk things through if there is a misunderstanding, is that not a better solution than not speaking at all? It is written in John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another”. There will be times when you have made the effort to talk things out, but have not received a response back, at least you have made the effort. The only thing left to do is pray and put it in God’s hands.

Silence does not always stem from a misunderstanding or argument, sometimes it comes from not paying attention when someone is trying to communicate with us. Often times we find ourselves pre-occupied with electronic devices like the I-phone, which now not only allows us to communicate, but to watch TV, play games, listen to music etc…

Being silent because we are too preoccupied with our electronic device sends another message all in itself. It has the potential to say, what you’re saying is not that important. When we are together with others (especially if we are with a loved one) we should leave the electronic devices to another time and spend time enjoying the company of others.

Lastly, think about what our silence says when we have not spoken to the Lord in a while. Take some time now as He is waiting to hear from us all.