The level of noise in the world is significant compared with my own childhood. Even living away from the city, I hear more vehicle noises than nature sounds at times. My experiences with apartment living proved that walls are too thin between neighboring bedrooms to sleep through arguments or parties. My only downtown rentals assured me that there is far more traffic after midnight than I ever guessed.
It’s far too easy to get swept up in things we overhear, things that are entirely beyond our control. The Bible warns against being conformed to the image of the world, against becoming like those around you by being caught up in their godless chatter and evil schemes. Jesus even prayed that his own be protected in the world by His Father. (John 17:11)
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.2.NLT
There’s always a danger of mob mentality. When issues escalate and the shouting begins, it’s difficult to find space to stop and think. All too often we simply react from already volatile emotions. Our soul’s enemy, Satan, is still an opportunist and if he can’t unsettle us individually, he fans the flames around us until we’re overcome.
Luke records the events surrounding a riot in Ephesus started by a meeting of the idol makers guild because the Way, those who believed that Jesus is God’s Son and all other gods are fakes, became a threat to their income. Tempers flared and innocent people were hurt.
“Inside, the people were all shouting, some one thing and some another.
Everything was in confusion.
In fact, most of them didn’t even know why they were there.”
Acts of the Apostles 19:32 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/act.19.32.NLT
What do you do to get someone’s attention? Babies fuss or cry and before my grandson learned a version of my name, he would grunt or yell in a guttural fashion until I looked at him and he knew I was listening, his vocalization rising in volume with the intensity of the conversation he was interrupting. I began to notice that when my conversations with his mother became animated or agitated, his little expressions followed suit.
As a result, I’ve made an effort not to have certain conversations when the grandchildren are around. They’re far too young and inexperienced in life to process difficult emotions or frustrations that even I struggle to manage. It’s impossible, however, to avoid every conflict. There will always be circumstances beyond my control that will need to be dealt with as they arise. So how can I be prepared to respond to what I cannot see coming?
You might ask why I feel it necessary to go to church regularly, to read my Bible daily, and to study scripture? I may have done these things mindlessly through the years, singing along with the lyrics
of hymns, listening to sermons and lessons until I began to anticipate the points and quote the scriptures along with the pastors or teachers, but these words- God’s Words- have become so ingrained, filling my mind so that I don’t even have to look at the pages or the text on the screen anymore. I may have read scripture seemingly mindlessly but through repetition, God’s Word guards my heart and mind, speaking to Me in the quiet still moments, protecting me in stressful times, guiding me as I teach and as I pray for a friend or family member.
“He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others.
When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”
2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/2co.1.4.NLT
My relationship with my Savior leads to unity in the faith, giving me an instant relationship with all who seek Him from pure heart. All this is in answer to the prayer that Jesus prayed for you and me.
“My prayer is not for the world, but for those you have given Me, because they belong to You.
I’m not asking You to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one.
I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one—as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You.
And may they be in Us so that the world will believe You sent Me.”
John 17:9, 15, 21 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/jhn.17.9-21.NLT
It’s true that the loudest voices often get the most attention, but God may choose to speak with a still, small voice (I Kings 19:12) in the wake of a mighty wind, an earthquake, and a fire. Make time to still yourself and listen. Listen to the wind. Be attentive to your children. Really hear your spouse. These things are good and beautiful and right, but without the voice of God, they are meaningless.
“Be still, and know that I am God!
I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us; the God of Israel is our fortress.”
Psalms 46:10-11 NLT
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