Distinguishing The Noise

“For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones.” Proverbs 2:6-8 NIV

Last week, I asked you what noises vie for your attention.  Can your soul distinguish the chaos your ears are constantly delivering?

What does the Bible tells us about how to distinguish the noise?

1.  Be still and know He is God. When the voices are screaming out and we can’t distinguish His voice, we should implement Psalm 46:10. We might need to seclude ourselves, get off alone, away from the noise. Stop the motions.  Stop the racing thoughts. Stop the angst. We need to allow that peace that passes understanding to wash over us.  To wash over us and for us to actually feel it.  Know that He is God, and God can be trusted.
2. Pray Like Abram found, there are times when the instructions we receive may not seem logical to human eyes or minds. Yet, that does not mean we should rush in with our ‘logical solutions.’ James 1:5 encourages us that “Whoever lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men, generously without reproaching, and it shall be given to him.” God wants to give us the answer.  Are we settled and not distracted so that we might hear it?
3. Seek godly counsel. Read the Bible, and search out those whose faith you respect. Gather wisdom from Scripture and those who will speak the truth, not just whisper words you want to hear. Hebrews 13:8 promises us “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.” You can stand on Scripture. Anyone who offers godly counsel will point you to places in Scripture pertinent to your circumstance.  Allow God’s truth to wash over you.
4. Wait on the Lord. Wait on His answer, for His wisdom to be revealed. Even when you are feeling you must do something, anything, now; wait on the Lord. Isaiah 40:31 promises us that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Our world is filled with deafening, distracting noise.  Allow the quiet corners of your heart and soul to search for truth.  Because when you know the truth and implement it, it will set you free.

Reflections:

1. Where can I go, to be still?
2. Where can I retreat so that I might pray undistracted when facing a dilemma?
3. Identify two people you would consider asking for godly counsel.  Identifying them before you need them reduces the risk of asking someone who you know will side with your thinking.
4. Copy Isaiah 40:31 on a note card to place somewhere prominent: inside your planner, taped to a corner on your windshield, or on your favorite coffee cup. Read it enough and you will memorize it.  And amazingly, it will pop back into your head just when you need it!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your promises.  Thank You that the details of my life concern You, and You deeply desire to guide me along the right path for my life.  Thank You that You know the plans You have for each of us, plans to prosper us and give each one of us a future with hope.  Please help me to recall Your promises, and to remember that when life gets crazy, I need to get away so I can be still and know, You are God. Amen.

Thanks for reading! Please return by Monday, February 9 for the next post.