The Silent Treatment

Have you ever given anyone the silent treatment? I have to admit that I'm a little of an expert at the stony silence. I rationalize and say that it isn't so much that I'm punishing the other person, as my attempt to follow the rule, "If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all." See, when I'm angry, I can spout rather nasty things--95% untrue. Rather than get all huffy and "honest," I prefer to retreat to the inner chambers of my mind where I can debate the true reasons and merits of my anger.

I realized today that I sometimes give God the silent treatment. When things aren't going my way, I can get rather sulky about it. Instead of praying to God to take care of it, as I should, I find myself simply ignoring Him. I suppose I'm worried about the things I'll say out of anger that I don't really mean, things like "How dare you! What were You thinking!" Can I hurt God's feelings? I certainly wouldn't want to do that... I know He knows what He's doing, and He certainly knows He knows what He's doing (are you lost yet?), but sometimes I'm not convinced. "How is X situation supposed to help me grow? Aren't You just ruining my life again?"

Yesterday, I attended a great youth Bible study (about submission) where one young lady pointed out that God is asking us to submit to His will because He desires to give us the kingdom (Luke 12:32). If that doesn't break through the ice of a silent treatment, what will?! When I go to God, even in anger and confusion, I know He will comfort me, and maybe, just maybe, I can convince Him to lift the veil a little so I can see how this will lead to the kingdom. But more importantly, I trust that He will send me peace.