Turn Off The Noise

For those that know me hearing me talking about or recommending certain podcasts comes as no surprise. I don’t know how long I’ve been listening to podcasts but well over a year now at least. I listen to them on my runs, my drives, and when I’m doing household chores. These podcasts encourage me in my faith, in motherhood, and in business. It’s not uncommon for me to hear 2-3 podcasts each day, but usually I listen to at least 1 per week day.

Some other ways I love being encouraged in my faith, motherhood and business is by reading devotionals, Christian books, and following social media accounts. Each of these I read or engage with on a daily basis.

You may see where I’m heading with this, but let me throw another piece of information at you. When I’m on my browser, which is generally for work, but also if I’m searching for a question I need answered, because lets be honest, Google answers most of our everyday questions…I will usually have about 5-8, or more, tabs open at any given time.

You may be able to relate to me here, but this has all created A LOT of noise. God has recently brought this to my attention so I’ve been working on cutting down on some of this noise.

I don’t necessarily think any of these things are bad, but I have experienced how an excess amount can cause confusion, overwhelm, and nothing truly sticking.

Let me give you 2 examples…

1. During my devotional time in the mornings I will sometimes read a devotional, read the Bible, and journal my thoughts all in one sitting. Then I will go on a run and listen to a great Christian podcast.

At this point I may have heard 5 awesome nuggets of truth that I want to mull over in my spirit and let them take root there. However, since there are so many, I often forget them and none seem to actually stick or take root. I even come to the end of my day not remembering some of the first truths that really caught my attention that morning.

One study found that every day people are taking in the equivalent of 34 gigabytes of information, which is enough information to overload a laptop within a week…WHAT?? And we are taking this in each day! This study was also done a few years ago so today’s estimations are much higher. Here is a link to the article if you are interested.

2. With my business I tend to look to other social media accounts, listen to podcasts, and search for things on my browser to better my business. I’ve noticed that rather then developing the business God has designed for me to develop I tend to just copy what others are doing. If they are doing it well then it must mean it works, right?

I’m bombarding myself with constant ways others are building their businesses, that instead of processing 1 or 2 things and figuring out creative ways to apply the information to my business, I copy what worked for them and try to create a business that matches theirs. Which creates in my business a patchwork of others businesses, none of which actually came from my own creative mind.

Another study I came across revealed when we have an overwhelming amount of options our brains take the path of least resistance resulting in unoriginal thinking. Where if we have only a couple options our brains are more likely to use the creative and imaginative side. Here is a link to that article as well.

This noise also tends to distract you and me from the greater purpose we’ve been placed on this earth for. The noise helps keep the focus on us rather then on what God is doing or desiring to do.

“But Martha became exasperated by finishing the numerous household chores in preparation for her guests, so she interrupted Jesus and said, “Lord, don’t you think it’s unfair that my sister left me to do all the work by myself? You should tell her to get up and help me.” The Lord answered her, “Martha, my beloved Martha. Why are you upset and troubled, pulled away by all these many distractions? Are they really that important? Mary has discovered the one thing most important by choosing to sit at my feet. She is undistracted, and I won’t take this privilege from her.”‘ Luke 10:40-42 TPT

While I fully believe personal development in all areas of life is important I want to caution you, as I caution myself, on the source of our noise and the amount of our noise.

The Source

Make sure your sources of noise are good, truly helpful, sound in wisdom and doctrine, and Godly sources.

“But the wisdom from above is always pure, filled with peace, considerate and teachable. It is filled with love and never displays prejudice or hypocrisy in any form and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness!” James 3:17-18 TPT

The Amount

Set limits on each source of noise for the week. This will allow you to keep the noise in check and make sure you aren’t overdoing it.

When we choose to turn off the noise we will more easily hear and discern the voice of our Father + his will and purposes for each of our situations.

“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.” Romans 12:2 TPT

I’m Curious, How Have You Experienced Noise Affecting Your Life?