Pleasing Christ in Quiet Silence

A person who despises a neighbor has no sense, but a person who has understanding keeps quiet.

─ Proverbs 11:12 GW

Val noticed Daphne’s usually sunny disposition had shifted to a dark grey a few weeks ago and the ugly cloud showed no sign of change. She found that the cloud seemed to settle specifically over Val’s cubicle several times a week. At first, the unexpected actions shocked Val, but now it had shifted to anger.

Val checked and rechecked past conversations to locate anything she might have done to cause Daphne’s sudden negativity toward her. Val decided, after the last attack, she would stand up for herself. She rehearsed in her mind how she could put Daphne in her place. And she didn’t have to wait long.

The next day, Daphne unloaded on Val with both barrel’s in front of several coworkers. But before Val could retaliate, her opponent turned about face and marched out the side door and down the stairwell. Val bolted after her ready to fire back, but when she reached the bottom of the stairs, she found Daphne sitting there, her shoulders shaking. Proverbs 11:12 flashed through her thoughts: a person with understanding pleases Christ with quiet silence.

Val’s need to retaliate evaporated and instead, she sat down next to her friend on the stairs, wrapped her arms around her and let her cry in silence.

Peter provided a similar example referring to Jesus – “When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly” (1 Peter 2:23 ESV).

Today’s One Thing

Ask God to help you see opportunities today to please Christ with quiet silence and display His love to someone who needs, but may not deserve His love today.

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