The Psychology of Silence

I recently read a post on Instagram made by Meagan Good. The post reads: “My mom told me if you ever feel like God isn’t there, remember the teacher is always silent during the test”.

As an educator, you can just imagine how much this resonated with me. During the test, my job is to hand out the test, watch the students complete the test, and then collect the test papers. The duration of the test varies by subject. I’ve decided to expound on this topic more because I’ve been in a season where I fell like God has been silent.

First: Hand out the test. When I am preparing a test for my students, the test has to be prepared against a standard. The lesson plans for the subject would have been prepared from what is called the Competence Standard. In preparing the test, the acronym SMART must be used. The test must be specific, it must be measurable, it must be attainable, it must be realistic and it must be time-bound.

All these have to be incorporated for the test to be valid. Before a test is given, all the areas of the competence standard have to be taught to the students. Before each test, we would have a revision session to ensure learning has taken place and the students are ready for the test. If the students show any uncertainties of passing the test, further teaching is done before the test is given. With that being done, on the day of the test, I show up and hand out the test papers. I remain quiet during the test.

This really had me thinking. Could I have already been taught for all the tests I am going through right now? Do I have all the answers I need inside of me? Is that why God is so quiet and not answering my questions? 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Second: Watch the students complete the test. Once the test has begun, I just watched. I do not speak unless it is necessary. This reminds me of the GPS on google maps. Sometimes you are driving for miles but the GPS only speaks when you need to make a turn or if you have made the wrong turn. Sometimes I get nervous when I am on long journeys and the GPS is not saying anything. Am I on the right track? So, as I thought about me watching the students doing their test, is God being silent but still watching over me? Hebrews 13:5 “Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.”

Third: Collect the test papers. Though a specific duration is allotted to the test, sometimes students complete the test before the allotted time. There are others who took longer than the time allotted and I would normally give them a little extra time. Right now I feel like my tests are never-ending. One thing I know for sure, as long as a student is doing a test, the teacher has to be in the room. Although I am going through my tests, God is in the midst. GOD IS IN MY REALITY.

“You might be going through a rough time right now and feel like God has forgotten you. BUT, be reminded that the teacher is always silent during the test!”

The silence can help to renew and restore you. The silence can draw you closer to God. The silence can help you discover what is most important in your life. The silence can help you to make sound, and continuous decisions. God’s silence does not mean He is absent.