I am finally starting to feel settled in my new place.  But some days the noise just gets to me.  Since my house is only twenty feet from the main road in and out of town and another fifty feet from a speed bump, there is almost constant car traffic. Sometimes I don’t seem to notice it as much as others, but today, it just won’t seem to go away.  In fact, it is getting louder and louder.  When there does seem to be a reprieve, it is suddenly interrupted with the screeching air brakes of a semi-truck or the squealing of a tuc-tuc, racing by to pick up its next customer.

As I struggle to block out these noises and go back to sleep or focus on the tasks before me, I realize this is a picture of a spiritual symptom.  How often during the day, week, or month am I distracted from the course God has set me on because of the noise, not from the outside, but from within: the doubts, the self accusations, the judgments, the pity parties, the longings for something more, the demands of others, or a countless assortment of unchecked thoughts.

The noise outside my house may not go away, but it does not have to control me.  I can chose to focus on other things.  Similarly, I must not be controlled by the noise within myself and the world around me.  If I don’t control this noise from within, I will fall to hear that still, small voice.  I will miss the purposes and plans God has for me.

These are a few verses that God is reminding me of how, in the midst of the noise, I can remain at peace, trust in Him, and stay focused on His perfect will for me:

1.  “…for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.  We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we  are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5)

2.  “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.”  (Philippians 4: 6-8)

3.  “Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Himendured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1-3)

Are you feeling restless, unsettled, out of place?  Maybe it is time to sit and be still and ask the Lord to reveal the unchecked noises in your life.  They do not have to control you.