Quiet. Awww, be still my soul. Breathe. Quietness all around me as I sit in the chair in my garden. Listening to the doves sing. Stillness. And my heart ponders these words, “Let be and be still, and know (recognize and understand) that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations! I will be exalted in the earth!”1 I am in awe of who He is and that when we draw near to Him, He draws near to us.
Inner quietness. I’m now sitting in a crowded room that has people milling all around. Snatches of conversation reach my ears. Yet, I’m quiet. My inner man is sitting in His Presence. I’m waiting for church to begin for I’m ready to ‘enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart’ and to ‘enter His courts with praise.’2 Yet, my heart is still and quiet before Him.
Women and quietness. Peter encourages us to clothe ourselves with gentleness and quietness. He says, “Your adornment must not be merely external – braiding the hair, and wearing gold jewelry, or putting on dresses; but let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God.”3 We are encouraged to ‘gather up’ and ‘wear’ a gentle spirit and a quiet spirit.
Men and quietness. Paul admonishes us, “To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you, so that you may bear yourselves becomingly and be correct and honorable and command the respect of the outside world, being dependent on nobody [self-supporting] and having need of nothing.”4 We are encouraged to ‘live quietly’ and ‘work with our hands’ so that we might influence those around us.
Quiet Quote
“Often times God wants us to sit before Him in quietness. He doesn’t want us to do all the talking. As Isaiah 30:15 says, ‘In quiet and confidence will be your strength.’” ~Charles Stanley
Quiet Time Quote
“Shut the world out, withdraw from all worldly thoughts and occupations, and shut yourself in alone with God, to pray to Him in secret. Let this be your chief object in prayer, to realize the presence of your heavenly Father.”5 ~Andrew Murray
Prayer for Quietness: Lord, it is our desire to be like Jesus who is gentle and humble of heart. We choose to clothe ourselves with a gentle and quiet spirit that we might reflect You. We intentionally choose to live quietly and to work with our hands that we might be a light and influence to those around us. We choose quietness that we might hear Your still small voice speaking to us.
Recommendations:
I Need to Hear from God Today- Do You? – Strength with Dignity
Whole-Hearted – Living in Freedom – Strength with Dignity
References:
1Psalm 46:10. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation
2”I will Enter His Gates.” The words for this chorus can be found here: Hymn: I Will Enter His gates (hymnal.net)
31 Peter 3:3-4. New American Standard Bible (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Recommendation: Gentleness – One of 8 Garments to Wear – Strength with Dignity
41 Thessalonians 4:11-12. Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Reference “100 Bible Verses about Being Quiet”, What Does the Bible Say About Being Quiet? (openbible.info).
5“31 Inspiring Quotes about the Importance of Quiet Time” One Thing Alone Ministries. Retrieved June 25, 2021 from 31 Inspiring Quotes about the Importance of Quiet Time | One Thing Alone
Pexels Photo Credit: Walter Torres #2901649
*Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. We are given a one word prompt and write – unscripted, unedited, pure free-write – for 5 minutes. The prompt this week is quiet. I did write about quiet in the allotted 5 minutes, but I added a few minutes of research for the references and links.
18 thoughts on “Inner Quietness”
Last week I sat in a crowded airport cafe and felt a peaceful calm. As I mature in my faith, I continue to learn that quietness has less to do with the state of things around me, and everything to do with the nature of He who is in me.
Amie, FMF #16
I agree, Amie. I appreciate outer quietness, but inner quietness means so much more to me. Being at peace and knowing the Prince of Peace is priceless.
What a beautiful post on the value of quietness. I loved the quotes and Scripture shared. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Joyce!
I love your collection of quiet reflections, Lisa! And yes, we can find that quiet space wherever we are, can’t we? Thanks for your thoughts today. (Karen, FMF #24)
Yes, we can cultivate quietness inside wherever we happen to be.
Beautiful – thank you for sharing.
Thanks Phillip!
When our girls were young, I craved quiet time. I’d get up at three or four in the morning just to have pure quiet time to spend with God. And then my oldest (about four at the time), discovered I woke up that early and started joining me–ah, the mom life!
Our children were early risers too! But when they were younger, we made a rule where they couldn’t get out of bed until 6 o’clock.
This is the sentence that hit home >>> “We choose quietness that we might hear Your still small voice speaking to us.” Quietness is a choice. Getting up before my children in order to have quiet time with God was the best decision I ever made. It made all the difference! They are now grown and married, but it is still my favorite time of day.
You’re so right, Joanne, quietness is a choice and pressing into God is a choice. Awww yes, early morning time with the Lord is priceless.
It’s amazing how often the Bible speaks of quietness–and how often that is an internal state rather than a matter of silence! Great reflections.
So true, Ellie! External quietness can help, but it really is an internal state.
As a naturally quiet person, you would think stillness would be easy. I have found that inner quietness can be very different and something I struggle with constantly. Thank you for the reminders here today.
Inner quietness is very different from external quietness, Ashley! Inner quietness has to be cultivated, doesn’t it?
Love the emphasis on stillness and quietness Lisa. Nothing stills my weary body and troubled mind like stillness before God. It did take me awhile to learn that stillness meant my mouth too! Now I simply enjoy sitting in His Presence and breathing in His goodness.
Being in His Presence, still and quiet, is such a restoring experience, Donna. And you are right, we have to cultivate it as it does not come naturally! Ha!