“Study to be Quiet”

In the Bible, in Isaiah, we read, “In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength.” In Collectanea, referring to that statement, Mary Baker Eddy tells us we need to, “Study to be quiet.” To be quiet is to be still, to be free from the claim of disturbance, from the clamor of mortal mind.

At one time it was very hard for me to quiet my thought, even at times when I would be reading my Bible Lesson. All kinds of things would be racing through my head — maybe things I had to do, or things I was worried about. So, that idea, to study to be quiet, to just be still and listen, meant a lot to me.

Very often in praying to God we might do a lot of talking ourselves. We might try to tell God what we need, what we want Him to do for us. Yet really what we should be doing is listening! God already knows what we really do need, more than we do ourselves.

How important to quiet the human thought, the agitated thought, in order to get ourselves in a quiet place to hear God’s voice and feel His presence. It is important to feel His tender lovingkindness and to be receptive to it. In truth, what we need now and every day, is to feel the presence of God.

I am grateful for Mrs. Eddy’s council, “Study to be quiet.” Let’s work to quiet our thought to keep ourselves poised in the truth.