I’ve been using the word pause often after recently experiencing the sudden loss of my mother. Over the Christmas holiday, I gathered with my family to make funeral arrangements, and I entered the new year surrounded by the struggle of bereavement. Because of this, January brought the need for a pause from work, socializing, and most other activities. I needed to regroup and allow myself the opportunity to discover the benefits and necessity of the pause.
Taking a Pause
The word pause has several definitions. First, a pause can be a temporary stop. Additionally, In writing, it refers to a mark such as a comma or period; to the reader, it denotes the actual suspension of the voice. Also, those two vertical lines that appear after pressing the play button provide a way to pause a voice recording, video, or movie. Finally, hesitation is a pause, the temporary inaction that allows you to catch yourself. For example, in an interview, a young poet laureate spoke about pausing as a recitation technique. During her childhood, she struggled with a speech impediment. She learned to embrace the power of a pause when her tongue became tangled in her words. Overcoming her challenge helped her get beyond being teased about her speech impediment. It gave her words power and increased her confidence. As an experienced writer and poet, she now performs excellently on the worldwide stage.
Benefits of the Pause
Pauses in conversations allow participants to think about what they want to say and formulate their thoughts. Not every moment needs to be filled with speech. How many times do we or others rush to answer a question when silence seems awkward? Honoring a pause shows respect toward the other person.
What is commonly known as writer’s block could be an opportunity for a pause, which is not a bad thing. Consider these benefits:
- Clears the mind and allows you to become more focused
- Improves creativity and productivity
- Reduces stress and the feeling of being overwhelmed
Taking a pause is not a 21st-century concept. The Bible has a word for a pause. Selah. The closest associated Hebrew word is believed to be salah, meaning to pause. In a song, this pause or selah refers to a suspension of the voice. After all, the psalms were sung in Biblical times. Selah is found 74 times in the King James Version of the Bible, mainly in the Psalms. Here is an example:
Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah. Psalm 62:8
Pause and reflect on what you just read. Don’t rush on through to the next verse. Mediate on God’s word. Consider what the Lord has just said.
A pause provides a time to commune with God and listen to what He tells us. He tells us to “be still and know I am God.” Throughout His life, Jesus exemplified the habit of communing with the Father. This communion was a wellspring of power during His earthly ministry. Jesus spent 40 days in the wilderness fasting and praying before beginning His ministry. He temporarily separated from life’s demands and encouraged His disciples to do the same when they needed to rest (Mark 6:30-32). In times of grief (Matthew 14:1-13) and distress (Luke 22:39-44), Jesus sought solitude.
As I journey through this season of grief, I am turning to these verses. I pray you will meditate on these words and find comfort also.
5 Verses for When You’re Taking a Pause
- Safety – In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4:8
- Rest – There remains, then, a Sabbath rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. Hebrews 4:9-11
- Anxiety – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
- Presence – The LORD replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.” Genesis 33:4
- Peace – I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Hi Sherma, I’m sorry to hear about your mother’s passing. Grief is hard and I appreciated your thoughtful words. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much. It has been incredibly difficult. I’m thankful that we have a Comforter who cares about us when we go through these kinds of experiences.