Music has been and still is like healing balm to my soul.
On the hard days, the weary days, even the good days, to pause what I’m doing, take a few moments, put in my earbuds and let a song wash over me is just good medicine.
On any given day I could have a new favourite. It’s kind of like the “flavour of the month” for me, except rather than ice cream or food it’s music.
My current favourite however has lasted for more than a month. Maybe it’s because watching the news, seeing the devastation and hardships going on in this world it’s easy to become overwhelmed and let fear erupt within. Or, maybe it’s because of having lived through one of the deepest heartaches a mother can live through I sometimes need the reminder. Whatever the reason, this one has stuck with me for quite some time.
I shared it with a friend awhile back, and she too has found healing in it. Truthfully, I forgot I had sent a link of the song to her until the other day when she wrote to say she still listens to it almost every day.
The power of a song.
The importance of what we allow into our minds.
My dad is famous for sharing the quote “garbage in garbage out” and although I tend to roll my eyes at hearing the same thing over and over again from him it really is true.
What we allow into our minds shapes us. It can subtly or not so subtly influence and affect what we think and who we become.
It’s way too easy to have “background noise” forgetting the impact it can have. I know. I’m guilty of not paying attention to what I’m allowing into my mind. But then when the fears overtake, the doubts begin to arise and I stop long enough to evaluate where my thoughts have been it’s often easy to see the connection.
There is an old saying, “Watch your thoughts. They become words. Watch your words. They become deeds. Watch your deeds. They become habits. Watch your habits. They become character. Character is everything.” I’d love to give credit where credit is due on that quote but when I looked it up it has been attributed to several different people. Nevertheless, whoever originally said it spoke truth.
An even older saying, Proverbs 4:23 says “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.” The Passion Translation (the Hebrew word for heart includes our thoughts, our will, our discernment and our affections.)
So again, as I’m so often learning, it comes back to the little things. How the little things you and I let into our minds morph and become bigger things in our lives.
But how, in this fast paced world where all sorts of things are coming at us is it even possible to counteract what we often don’t realize is coming against us?
By purposely, intentionally, renewing our minds. Filling them so full of truth there is no room left for the lies and doubts to live.
That truth is found in God’s Word. I know many people who think the Bible is dry and dusty–or simply a long list of rules. You may be one of them. At one time, I was too. But when I dared to dig in with an open mind and heart I discovered treasures. Messages of love. Unconditional love that this girls mind still can’t comprehend.
And the in between moments (which is really the majority of my day) when I’m not reading God’s Word?
I saturate myself with “background noise” of positive music, worship songs, anything that is uplifting, not pulling me down and causing the negative, fearful thoughts I am so prone to. If I’m not is a place I can have that going in the background I take “music breaks”. Some people take smoke breaks, I take song breaks lol! In those breaks I literally shut the world and outside noise out for two minutes by putting in my earbuds and focusing on the lyrics while the melody washes over me.
So are you wondering what song it has been for me lately?
Here it is…put in those earbuds, let it wash over you and enjoy! And when you are finished, let me know your thoughts…if this is something you already practice, let me know what your current favourite go-to song is. I’d love to know. Maybe I’ll find a new favourite 🙂