Be Silent
I’m high justice. When there’s a wrong, I want to make it right. I will fight for you. I’m loyal to a fault. And it’s hard for me to be patient with the process of justice and not take things into my own hands. Is anyone with me?
Back in school, that meant lunchroom confrontations, calling out bullies who messed with my friends, and putting sleazy boys in their place when they tried to mess with my sister. I may be 5’3” and petite, but trust me—I could cut you with my words.
I know, I know… “Real mature, Celeste.” And honestly? Some days, I’d love to let the ghetto girl in me loose and handle things my way. But as a (sometimes) mature believer in Christ, I know I’m called to a different standard.
Exodus 14:14 (ESV): The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.
Be silent???! Excuse my French, but that sucks!
When someone is talking bad about you? Be silent.
When people judge you? Be silent.
When your character is on trial? Be silent.
Do you even know how hard this is?! Maybe you do. Maybe you’re living this right now—every day, surrendering your pain to the Lord, choosing to trust instead of taking matters into your own hands. If so, hear me: If we get our justice our way, we won’t get God’s justice.
God’s justice takes time, but it’s real. It’s not fueled by temporary outbursts that only make things worse. His justice provides safety in the waiting—under His arms, under His watch. His justice often leads to true repentance, and even when it doesn’t, it always leads to a greater reward.
If you’re wrestling with the tension between slaying with your words or slaying with your silence, let me encourage you—let God do His work. Time and time again, I’ve heard Him whisper, “Keep doing good, Celeste. I’ve got you. I’ll fight for you. I’ll give you more than what you lost. Trust again. Keep being a friend, even when others aren’t. I’ll work it out.” These words go against every instinct in me, but every time I’ve surrendered my version of justice, He’s come through.
Sometimes, I waited two years, five years, or even thirteen years for Him to expose the wrong and make things right. BUT He did. It didn’t always mean reconciliation—though sometimes it did. However, every single time, it meant healing, forgiveness, and a deeper trust in Jesus. And that makes sense—because He gets it. He lived it too.
Dear sister, I know it’s hard, but shhhhhh. Quieten your soul. Quieten your social media. Let God. He sees you. He fights for you. And you can do hard things.
Here are some scriptures that have helped me along the way, and I hope they help you too!
Galatians 6:9 NIV
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Proverbs 3: 5-6 NIV
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight
Galatians 1:10 ESV
For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
