Above the Noise - Encouragement Café - August 22, 2016
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Quieting the Voices Within - Above the Noise
By Aj Luck
Monday, August 22, 2016
He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire. He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:2 NIV
When I was a little girl, it seemed as if our television was ALWAYS on. It never mattered if we were watching it or not.
As soon as we would walk in the front door from being gone, my mom would mindlessly walk over, turn on the TV then tend to the house. Whether it be putting groceries away, folding laundry, starting dinner or cleaning the bathrooms, the TV remained on.
I was a teenager when I realized, not every family operated this way. I asked my mom, Why do you always have the TV on?
Because I need the noise,she replied.
Lately in my life, I'm finding that I too NEED THE NOISE. It's not a particular show (although I am fond of HGTV), it's the voices. I find myself living my life with the volume turned all the way up.
Before you throw your fist in the air and shout, Way to go AJ!, let me explain. If the volume of life around me is louder than the voices WITHIN me, then I will always turn towards the noise.
The inner battle rages on.
Negative voices of fear, doubt, insecurity, worthlessness and apathy sing in a constant dark lullaby over my soul.
But I'm a Christian... I try and retort back.
We know... they chime in unison.
I spend my entire life encouraging others that they matter... yet I feel so inadequate and useless.
The lullaby grows louder.
You'll never make a difference.
A whisper occasionally breaks through saying,
You are mine. I love you. You can come to me.
I cringe. I can't. I want to talk to God, but I'm ashamed. I'm too busy hiding in my shame. I haven't committed any horrible sin, other than allowing the demonic ear worm into my soul. It haunts me and taunts me.
Depression drags me deeper into its slimy pit. Feeling hopeless in my despair.
Why can't I climb out? What is WRONG WITH ME?
Embarrassed, I continue to sit in silence, unable to find the strength to silence the lullaby. I'm afraid THIS time, God simply won't understand.
Adam. Eve. That lullaby was the same tune in the garden.
God doesn't want you to have this...to be this... He just doesn't understand.
They bite. They hide. They blame.
God knew all along. He always does. His Mercy triumphs His disdain.
God DOES understand. He clothes them in His grace. He loved them despite the slimy pit that they themselves could have never climbed out of. He became their very lifeline of Hope. Pulling them up from the lullaby of lies into His loving arms and Fatherly wisdom.
He trades their insecurities for confidence in Christ. He hasn't stopped doing this for each of His children. He's there. Replacing your broken pieces with His complete design. He's turning off the noise around us and stilling our souls.
No matter how hard you or I try, He simply will not let us go.
He. Loves. You. Unconditionally.
Maybe you’ve struggled with battling against the noise. Maybe you feel as if you are sliding down a slippery slope of despair. Right now, lift your hands up towards Heaven. Call out to your Creator. He is there, lifting you above the noise even now. I promise. He is faithful.
Dear Lord, thank You for being our lifeline. Thank You for being the strength we need when all else seems to fail us. Lord, drown out all the voices that are not of You. Help us to hear You and You alone. Thank You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
© 2016 by Aj Luck. All rights reserved.
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