Silence That Destroys

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, ...”

- Ephesians 4:1-6 [ESV]

I worked on New Year’s Eve, surprised that there were three of us assigned that night in the Clinic. With the constant shortage of staff, that was a nice night to be staffed well. Though on a holiday, we usually did not anticipate that it would be busy. True enough, the night was calm. We got done entering the doctor’s orders in the computer in a short amount of time. Then….Silence… Except me, in a joyful mood, chatting with each of them. In between those two nurses, silence…

I had brought some coffee cake for my co-workers to enjoy. Seeing the Intake Nurse walked in, I hollered to offer her a piece and was going to greet her a Happy New Year. But she was walking so fast, almost running kind of strides to head back to the Intake after getting her much needed supplies. She didn’t hear me or she pretended she didn’t. But it didn’t hurt me. I was just wondering what was going on.

Much later, another co-worker told me that the acting charge nurse was not talking with the other nurse working with me and her. Something happened between them. And so it was between her and the Intake Nurse. That was why she was rushing to get out of the Infirmary.

Nursing pride in their hearts… Not willing to forgive. Not willing to yield. Not willing to cooperate. Not willing to compromise. That was the problem. No one wanted to go lower and respect another’s opinion until they had invisibly created a big wall in between them. They started warring with each other.

The silence enveloped me until I found myself quiet, too. The words I wanted to utter stayed in my mind. I felt sadness seeing this state of work habits amongst us. I sensed immense sadness to know how much time was being wasted having these kinds of attitudes amongst ourselves. Please pray for correctional nurses at my work. And for me!

No one can drive us crazy unless we give them the keys. ~Doug Horton

We are at war as believers of the Lord Jesus Christ. And what a waste if we are divided instead of united. We are His body and what a shame that we are allowing to have the spiritual enemies to have a gain by using our differences to divide us. We must be united. We must be one. We must not be at war amongst ourselves but with our spiritual enemies. Silence can be beneficial or not. Being quiet when we should talk may create disunity. But silence, in perfect timing, will help connect and build bridges instead of creating walls.

“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” – Philippians 2:2 [ESV]

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” – Philippians 1:27 [ESV]

“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment.”

– 1 Corinthians 1:10 [ESV]

“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” – 2 Corinthians 13:11 [ESV]

“Do two walk together, unless they have agreed to meet?” – Amos 3:3 [ESV]