Have you ever found yourself completely out of things to say? You have talked, pleaded, reasoned, and prayed until you have nothing left. What do you do when you have no more words?

I invite those of you who may be hurt, disillusioned or even cynical to this Mindful Monday. I hope you find this a safe and welcoming place with no judgment or expectations. AT THE CROSSROADS seeks to openly and honestly wrestle with issues of how our faith and our life intersect.

I am a writer. And words are the tools I use. Yet, even I have times when the words just won’t come.

MY WORDLESS STORY

I am in a place where I have run out of words, yet I ironically I need them to describe this experience to you.

On a personal level, there are several relationships in my life where I have no more words. My attempts to resolve conflict and restore connection through both the spoken and written word have fallen on deaf ears, blind eyes, and closed hearts.

Being kind and persuasive has not helped nor has being direct and confrontational. So, I stand empty and mute. As Ecclesiastes 3:7 reminds us, “…there is a time to be quiet and a time to speak.”

Many would characterize this as giving up, but it is far from it; rather, it is shutting up. It is standing in the gap, waiting on God’s timing, and showing my love through actions instead of words.

For someone who embraces words and all that they have to offer, this voiceless voyage has been challenging, testing the limits of my self-control. But God has taught me so much in the silence.

Spiritually, my prayer life–the conversations I have with God–has also been devoid of verbal expression. Words seem inadequate to express the longings of my heart, so I sit in quiet solitude waiting to hear Him speak instead.  Listening to music helps during these times as do walks in the beauty of God’s creation, but many days all I can offer are wordless sighs and groans.

Can you relate either relationally or spiritually?

Maybe you have been hurt deeply.

Maybe you are weary from carrying a heavy burden.

Maybe you are uninspired, numb, and dry.

WORDS ARE NOT ALWAYS REQUIRED

Here is an encouraging truth that has released me from my compulsion to communicate: words are not always necessary.

Let me repeat, so you do not miss this: Sometimes words are not required.

 

Have you ever experienced the contented silence that comes from sitting with a friend, spouse, or child?

Witnessed a majestic sunset or moonlight night that defied description?

What about the joy of holding your first child or the grief of your first significant loss? Could words adequately express the depth of your emotion?

When one of my best friends lost her husband unexpectedly, words failed me on every level. All I could do was sit with her, hold her, and cry with her.

So, if you, too, find yourself in a place where words seem ineffective and useless, give yourself a break. Welcome the silence instead of trying to fill it with meaningless talk; look for alternate ways to communicate.

GOD UNDERSTANDS OUR SILENCE

While our family and friends may misunderstand or misinterpret our silence, God does not.

Instead, He encourages us to lean in and feel His presence keenly when words are absent.

“Be still, and know that I am God!” Psalm 46:10 (NLT)

“Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken.”  Psalm 62:5-6 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit also intervenes on our behalf when we have no more words.

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.  And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”  Romans 8:26-27 (NLT)

To me, this is one of the most comforting truths in the Bible. For those of us who believe in Jesus, we have an advocate (the Holy Spirit) who steps in and prays for us.

WHAT TO DO UNTIL THE WORDS RETURN

If you wait on the Lord, your words will return at the right time and in the right way.  (I recently wrote a post about What Happens When We Refuse to Wait that you can read HERE.)

God will put a new song in your mouth (Psalm 40:3) and give you His words just like He did with Moses (Exodus 4:12-15) and Isaiah (Isaiah 51:16; 59:21).

But in the meantime, when the words just won’t come, try something new.  Free yourself from the urge to speak; learn to get comfortable with stillness.

• Find a solitary place (free of distractions) and focus on God in silence.
• Take a walk and find beauty in God’s creation.
• Listen to music (with or without words) and meditate on God’s faithfulness.
• Draw, doodle, or make something with your hands, offering it to Him as a form of worship and praise.

I want you to know that if you begin this Mindful Monday with no more words to offer to others or God, grant yourself some grace and embrace the silence.

If you are seeking a community of believers for encouragement and support, why not consider joining us here AT THE CROSSROADS?

All it takes is providing your email address in the box at the right. You will receive a FREE e-book delivered directly to your inbox just for signing up as well as weekly posts and other freebies.

I would love to have you as a fellow traveler so we can walk this journey of faith and life together!