The Resounding Silence of God

Max Lucado wrote a book in 1994 titled ''When God whispers your name'.  It is a great read with his usual humor and spiritual insights, but my question is..

What happens when God whispers my name but .. I am hard of hearing, or maybe God simply remains silent?  Truth is I do wear hearing aides.

Not so many years ago I weathered personal hurricane force storms in back to back years.  My finances, health, and spirit were challenged and I didn't know if I would survive the first year's storm only to be windblown and tattered the next year too.  I have never despaired more in my life.
​

---

Let me tell you I literally sobbed, and cried out to God for HELP. I wanted God to calm these storms, but my prayers were met with His resounding SILENCE. 

Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? Ps 10:1
​
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?  O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest. Ps 22:1-2

---

​I admit my cries to God were not as eloquent as when David penned the above Psalms, but I shed enough literal tears to warrant flood insurance.
  
Side note on Crying: 
When a woman cries we feel empathy as her deep emotions touch our hearts.  
When a man cries it sounds like a wounded Badger caught in a trap trying to gnaw off his leg in a short sighted attempt to escape his pain.  Those in ear shot want to put that badger out of his misery, and the crying men.. STOP IT! 

​but I digress..

---

Now back to my storms..
During these stormy days I discovered God's providence/answers were found in His silence. During my storms I needed to experience the full impact of my situation including my mistakes and their circumstances.

note: There is an infinite difference between God not ignoring my prayers and God being silent as an answer. 

God was with me the whole time, but pain and reflection was important for me to grow on a true path of restoration.  A genie in a lamp with three hot wishes available was NOT what I needed.

Life rains on the just and the unjust Mt. 5:45, the Jeffs and the unJeffs!

---

​We all know the story of Peter walking on water until he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on those very real waves.. and began to sink. 

​Just like Peter those the very real waves in my life overwhelmed me because I did not put my trust in the man who walks on water and calms the seas.

The good news is I endured those stormy years and learned over time how faithful and loving God was and is.  

The details of my storm(s) are not important except to share a lesson learned when God seems silent.  “Be still, and know that He is God." Ps 46:10

---

​This is my prayer for you too. Be still, be faithful, be listening, be prayerfully try to remain peaceful even when you experience God's Resounding Silence.

Blessings

​Jeff (wearing my Hearing Aids) Larson

---