As a pastor, I've walked with many people through times of pain and uncertainty, and I've seen firsthand how God's silence can be a source of confusion and fear. But I've also come to understand that God's silence is not always a lack of presence or care, but rather a sign that He is working in ways that are beyond our comprehension. When we're in pain, it's natural to want an audible response from God, a clear answer to our questions and a sense of comfort. But sometimes, God's silence is not a silence of despair, but rather a silence of pleasure, because He sees that we can withstand an even bigger revelation.
I think part of the reason we're terrified of God's silence is that we know that when He speaks, we must respond. We must either obey or tell Him we won't. But when it's just one of His servants speaking, we feel like obedience is optional. As a pastor, I've seen people ignore God's promptings and guidance, and it's a sad thing to see. But when we finally realize that God is speaking to us, and we ignore Him, it's like we're humiliating Him. It's a sign that we're not taking Him seriously, and that we're not treating Him as our Father.
I think of Jesus, who cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" (Matthew 27:46). That's a cry of desolation, but it's not a cry of total despair. Jesus knew that He was dying for our sins, and He knew that He was doing God's will. And in that moment, God was silent. But it was not a silence of absence, but rather a silence of presence. God was working in Jesus, even in the midst of His suffering. And that's what I want to remind people of when they're in pain and feeling God's silence. God is not absent, He's present, and He's working in ways that are beyond our understanding.