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.
I started off thinking that I just needed one shot to prove myself, but then I realised that I was only going to learn about acting by doing it.
My grandfather has been very depressed lately. He just doesn't know what to do. He says it's late in the game, and he's afraid that life has him beaten." "Tell him to take out the goalie.
Owning your own feelings, rather than blaming them on someone else, is the mark of a person who has moved from contracted to expanded awareness.
Only when you lift a burden, God will lift your burden. Divine paradox this! The man who staggers and falls because his burden is too great can lighten that burden by taking on the weight of another's burden. You get by giving, but your part of giving must be given first.
One man cannot hold another man down in the ditch without remaining down in the ditch with him.
There was no time for scholarly details, and, besides, I have always believed that a man can fairly be judged by the standards and taste of his choices in matters of high-level plagiarism.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.