Youth Talks 5 out of 10: “Not Letting It Get the Best of Me.”

“Speak only if it improves upon the silence.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Being vocally expressive is admirable. Not everyone is gifted with the courage or ability to voice what they feel, even when their hearts are overflowing. Some people turn their emotions into art—they draw, paint, or sketch what words cannot say. Others pour their feelings into poetry, music, or written reflections. Some use social media as an outlet to release their thoughts. But let me pause for a moment and ask myself: if I speak too much, am I still allowing the Holy Spirit to remain with me and guide my emotions? Does expressing everything bring me closer to Christ, or does it sometimes drown out the quiet voice of His grace that invites me to reflect first?

Each of us has our own way of expressing what frustrates and what delights us. Still, there is a quiet beauty found in choosing silence. This is easier said than done, but I write this article to remind everyone, myself—that not everything, even the smallest inconvenience, is ours to control. Allowing silence to reign for a few minutes, whether two or ten—is one of the humblest offerings I can give to God. In that silence, I create space for the Holy Spirit to lead me.

As I have learned, self-control is not merely strength of the mind, but obedience of the heart. By choosing not to let my emotions get the best of me, I learn to pause, to pray, and to listen rather than react. In doing so, my character is slowly being shaped, formed to walk more intimately and closely with Him.

There was a time when our Nursing Research proposals were still pending for a week or two, and it led me into many sleepless nights. I was afraid of failing the subject. I cried, lost the will to show up in class, and even struggled to find motivation during our hospital duties. I felt numb, detached, and exhausted. Still, I tried my best not to let it get the best of me. One lesson that stayed with me from Rev. Fr. Ronald Arcillas of ReMaSe was this reminder: “Butangan nato’g lugar ang Espiritu Santo.” Truly, there are moments when emotions become overwhelming and situations feel too heavy to confront. Yet through His grace, I began to realize that the greatest battles I was carrying were never mine alone, they were His as well. By the second week of December, God showed His faithfulness to the dismayed, the wounded, and the weary by granting me and my group-mates a fruitful and restful Christmas break.

I struggled with keeping my battles to myself, choosing silence so as not to drain friends who were also carrying their own burdens—but I also saw the beauty of standing alone and faithful in Him. Though, I missed the chances of expressing my emotions towards people who asked me how I was, it became a beautiful testimony that even in silence, there was still Christ in it. Even when I chose to be alone, He was still there for me. Remembering the words of Rev. Fr. Dodong and Mahatma Gandhi left me with no regrets. To my fellow youth who struggle not to let emotions overpower them, never forget that our God remains faithful—yesterday, today, and even tomorrow. Let this be a gentle reminder: Jesus calmed the storm when His beloved disciples began to panic. Call upon His name, and He will grant you serenity. (Sophia Beatrice V. Sison | San Pablo Youth Apostolate – Formation Head)