But the things that we feel most deeply we ought to learn to be silent about, at least until we have talked them over thoroughly with God.
Interpretation
We should reflect and seek understanding in silence before sharing our deepest feelings.
Elisabeth Elliot suggests that our most profound emotions deserve contemplation and deliberation in a quiet space with God, rather than being expressed hastily. This approach encourages inner reflection and spiritual dialogue, allowing us to gain clarity before venturing to share our feelings with others.
In practice
In a sermon about seeking God's guidance, this quote can illustrate the importance of prayer and reflection.
We are not asked to SEE," said Amy. "Why need we when we KNOW?" We know--not the answer to the inevitable Why, but the incontestable fact that it is for the best. "It is an irreparable loss, but is it faith at all if it is 'hard to trust' when things are entirely bewildering?
Prayer lays hold of God's plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit's prayer.
What sort of world might it have been if Eve had refused the servants offer and had said to him instead, βlet me not be like God. Let me be what I was made to be - let me be a woman'?
Worship is not an experience. Worship is an act, and this takes discipline. We are to worship ''in spirit and in truth.'' Never mind about the feelings. We are to worship in spite of them.
Restlessness and impatience change nothing except our peace and joy. Peace does not dwell in outward things, but in the heart prepared to wait trustfully and quietly on Him who has all things safely in His hands.
If your goal is purity of heart, be prepared to be thought very odd.
Thereβs a difference between being alone and being lonely. Writers know that. I have never met a writer who does not crave to be alone. We have to be alone to do what we do.
You can always lie to others and hide your actions from them... but you can not fool yourself
The value of experience is not in seeing much, but in seeing wisely.
If you're gonna make connections which are innovative... you have to not have the same bag of experiences as everyone else does.
I find no sweeter fat than sticks to my own bones.
It is often very illuminating...to ask yourself how you got at the facts on which you base your opinion. Who actually saw, heard, felt, counted, named the thing, about which you have an opinion?
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