Silence can be peaceful and serene, a time to consider life and appreciate those around you. Alternatively, it can be a time that makes us feel uncomfortable and threatened.
Have you noticed how the former is the case when we are in the company of close friends, how it doesn’t seem to matter how long neither person says anything because you are both comfortable in each other’s company, in the silence.
When you’re with someone you don’t know very well, or are nervous, that’s when silences can be very stressful and feel like they last for ages even when in reality they probably only lasted a few seconds. For me, these are the kinds of silences in which I have a tendency to blurt out stupid and ridiculous statements, simply because I’m uncomfortable in the silence.
What about when you’re praying or when you’re reading the bible? Do you spend some quiet time in silence with God? I do, and I certainly don’t feel uncomfortable or embarrassed during those silent moments. In fact, if anything, they are often the most precious moments because it’s when I’m truly listening to God.
The Distinct Dot 