LIFE'S CHANGING SEASONS - WHAT'S THE PURPOSE? ECC. 3:7

"Silence is Golden...."

"There is a time to be silent, and a time to speak".Ecclesiastes 3:7

"The right word may be effective, but no word was ever as effective as a rightly timed pause."
― Mark Twain

Its been said that "silence is golden". If we look at the last half of the verse of Ecc. 3:7, it is highlighted here. This could apply to so many situations. Have you had a friend and/or yourself go through a loss; and just wanted someone to listen, to be with you? Sometimes we are so concerned about what we say to friends who are mourning, that we miss "their" needs. There is a classic example in the Bible when Job had lost almost everything, that his friends sat down with him and were with him in "silence". I know for me, this is hard to do because I think if I speak words of comfort, this will help. If we listen carefully, God will point out to us when to console through words or "just being there".

Also, being silent when we have no understanding what the other person is going through is important. As "humans", its so easy to judge someone going through something that we can't relate to. However, also in Ecclesiastes it is pointed out to us "If thou hast understanding, answer thy neighbor; if not, lay thy hand upon thy mouth" (Ecclesiasties 5:12)

So when is it good to speak? Tricky to tell. However, if we have a relationship with God and pray for a right moment, a right word, He will let us know. And for everyone, this is different. For me, I ask Him and my "gut feeling" will let me know when is the right time and when. Do I always listen to this? No. But as I get older, it seems like its easier to tell when God is prompting me to do, say something or remain silent for the "other" in need. "Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken in right circumstances" (Proverbs 25:11).



FATHER GOD - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR OUR RELATIONSHIP. THANK YOU FOR PROMPTING US TO ACTION OR INACTION, WHAT EVER OUR FRIENDS NEED IN A TIME OF LOSS. REMIND US THAT IF WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT SITUATION THEY ARE GOING THROUGH, THAT JUST BEING THERE IS COMFORT. THANK YOU FOR BLESSINGS IN TIMES OF LOSS. HELP US TO SEE YOUR BLESSINGS DAILY. AMEN.