Tired of the noise?

Most of us live in a state of overstimulation. We’ve trained our brains to hunger for constant input from our cell phones, iPads, computers…screens in general…to get the dopamine hit that comes with it. This leads to a condition one writer calls Excessive Brain Noise.

Excessive Brain Noise makes it difficult to focus on much of anything of real substance. This leads many of us to be so distracted by the constant whirl of information flowing within our brains that we find it difficult to pray or spend any meaningful time with God.

Are you tired of the noise?

I am.

So, where do we start beating back the noise?

First of all, we need to make a conscious decision to limit our screen input. I’m not talking about a cold-turkey rejection of all technology. I’m not even talking about closing all your social media accounts, unless that is the only way you can get this thing under control. I’m talking about personal limits; boundaries that we decide to place upon ourselves, otherwise known as self-control and personal discipline. (I’m preaching to myself here, too, so don’t get your feelings hurt)

I’ll climb down off of my soap box, now, lol.

Better than any dopamine hit a screen has to offer is experiencing the presence of Jesus. Our spirit longs for this and we have tried to fill the longing with other things, like dopamine, and suffered greatly for it. So, let’s hear from the Lord, together:

“Be still, and know that I am God!
    I am exalted among the nations;
    I am exalted in the earth.”

Psalm 46:10 (NRSV)

Be still. Let alone. Be quiet. Relax. Withdraw. These are all common translations of the Hebrew word here translated “Be still.” One translation I really like is “Stop your striving…”

Jesus withdrew, often. He is our example, plain and simple. God intends for us to grow more into His likeness. I am convinced, the primary way we are to do that is to follow Him in prayer, practicing His presence.

It’s hard for me to be still. I am beginning to practice a centering prayer technique, that I believe is going to help me. It is called a “breath prayer.” It’s really just a call to keep it simple. It involves praying two sentences. One sentence we pray on inhale. The other on exhale. Here are a few examples:

1. (Inhale) Jesus, You are here. (Exhale) And I am with You.
2. (Inhale) Lord, Jesus. (Exhale) Have mercy on me.
3. (Inhale) Almighty God. (Exhale) You are good.
4. (Inhale) Abba, Father. (Exhale) I receive Your love.

In practice, we breathe the prayer, repeating it and allowing everything else to melt away until we center our thoughts and our hearts on experiencing the presence of Jesus. It’s then we can enter a time of thanksgiving with sincerity…but, we’ll continue there, next week.

Be still. Practice breathing prayer. Until next week…

Happy Wednesday!

Pastor James