Making a Joyful Noise

Noise.

Do you ever feel like you’re drowning in it?

We live in an exceptionally loud world, and I’m not just talking about the noise we hear with our ears. Personal responsibilities, inner anxiety, social media arguments, political propaganda, opinionated friends, and ever-present technology can easily disrupt the stillness of our souls. While we can’t eliminate every internal and external sound, we can choose to be more intentional with what we listen to. We can cast our anxiety upon the Lord in prayer, be selective about the social media we consume, and silence our phones during certain times. But we don’t have to stop there! Another way to quiet the noise on the inside and the outside is to fill our ears with a better sound.

Whether we realize it or not, music is woven into every one of us. Songs have a way of moving us and engaging the deepest parts of our souls. Even the coldest heart will melt while listening to a nostalgic melody! Just the right combination of notes can strike a chord in us and lift our souls heavenward. Whenever music is used in connection to God, it becomes worship, and worship has the power to ease our fears, open our eyes, and rekindle our passion for Christ.

If you feel overwhelmed by the noise of life, it might be time to lift your voice in song. Music in general can help shape and express your deepest feelings. Songs of praise can shift your heart away from complaining and toward contentment. Songs of lament can give a voice to your deep grief. Fast-paced music can move your feet to dance, and other songs can lull you peacefully to sleep. Whether you’re singing hymns a cappella, pressing play on a classical masterpiece, or pulling out an old guitar, you can use God’s gift of music to draw your eyes back to him. These praises don’t have to be on key or performed for the sake of anyone else; they can simply be the way you fill the space around you with a sound that glorifies God and soothes your own soul.

If you want a break from the chaos around you, you can start by worshiping the Lord in song. Just as watching the sunrise or gazing at the stars can create a feeling of awe, music can capture our hearts and fill us with joy! Use God’s gift of music today to battle the chaos in your life and grow in deeper intimacy with Christ.

Prayer Prompt: Ask the Lord to quiet the noise in your life, and talk to him about what is drowning out the stillness of your soul. Pray that his voice would become loudest in your ears.

Journal Prompt: Break out a hymnal (if you own one) or look up the lyrics to a worship song you love. Write the words of the song in your journal, and sing the words with confidence and joy, even if your family thinks you’re crazy! If you aren’t comfortable singing, read through the lyrics out loud. Don’t be afraid to lift your hands in praise!