Cultivating Calmness: Turn Down the Noise of Life
There is something relaxing about the sound of God’s creation reacting to the ebbs and flows of nature. I enjoy the enchanting sound of birds chirping, rain falling on the roof and leaves as they rustle in the cool breeze of fall. Too often life seems to drowned out the simple sounds that God created. The noise of life bombards our lives and it takes major effort to lower the volume of life.
How do we turn down the volume of life when life does not slow down, shut down or stop? Here are a few simple ideas.
1. Limit electronics.
I know it sounds obvious, maybe a little old fashioned. But I am learning that my smart phone, ipad and other devices work hard to take my attention away from the most important things in my life. Take a look around at anytime and you will see the majority of people on an electronic device. While they are great and useful for many things, they also demand attention by notifications at all hours of the day and night. By having times when electronics are off limits, I am able to focus on the most important things in my life.
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. Matthew 6:33(ESV)
2. Have quiet time.
Designate a time of day when the house is quiet. Everyone and everything should hush. No television, iPods, iPads, games, talking, music…nothing. Quiet. Although quiet time does not always end up completely silent in my house, it is a time of day that my family knows to slow down. This allows us to cultivate calmness in our home and rest in the stillness of silence.
Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10(ESV)
3. Have dinner together.
Ball games, music practice, school activities, youth group, volunteer opportunities and church functions fill the calendar quickly and dinner can easily be compromised for other obligations. If you plan to have dinner as a family it can nurture the family unit and cultivate relationships that need unity. If activities are constantly pulling the family in different directions the volume of life will get loud and chaos will barge in and take over.
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. I Corinthians 13:1(ESV)
Dinner time can be a great time to reconnect after a busy day and provide a safe place where the family feels accepted, loved and supported. Consider making a new rule of no electronics at the dinner table.
These might seem like simple steps to a calmer home, but it takes intentional effort to cultivate calmness in the home. The enemy wants the noise to be so loud that peaceful communication with each other at the dinner table is impossible. He wants to breed division and destruction so that the evening hours are filled with hectic schedules in different directions or divided agendas that tear families apart rather than bring them together.
Every family wants to be a strong unit. Somehow we forget the goal and allow simple things like noise to drowned out the purpose of what brought us together in the first place. If a little more quiet time and intentional family dinners sound appealing, join me as we learn to cultivate calmness together. If you could use some calmness in your chaos, please LIKE, SHARE and COMMENT so others can be encouraged too!
And be ready, as soon as you make strides in the right direction, the enemy will be lurking. Let’s resist Him together and take steps toward the giver of peace.
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8a(NASB)
I would love to hear how you cultivate calmness in your home. Share your ideas in the comments below.
Love & Blessings,
Micah
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