With tensions already rising between the ideas that we are on the brink of World War III and Armageddon just around the corner, mental exhaustion is real, not to mention the fact that the knowledge we consume every day is not good for our overall health, and it’s no wonder we all feel this way. A lot has happened, and it’s perfectly okay to admit that.
The accumulation of everything that currently floods our sights, reaches our ears, fills our screens, and subtly bleeds into our conversations has a weight of its own. It’s a burden we all feel and eerily experience. This “noise” is painful, stimulates unpleasant sensations in the pit of the stomach, and arouses anxiety and even fear. Worst of all, it’s not silent, polite, or shy. They can be loud, demanding, and aggressive in seeking attention, which can lead to a harmful downward spiral if left unchecked.
So, yes, let’s talk about it! Because as believers we need to understand the nature of the immense amount of information we receive every day and realize that this is a call to action. Are you ready to ignore everything and focus on what really matters? Then take a deep breath, tell yourself everything will be okay, and reach for the Bible on your nightstand. Sister to sister, let us stand firm and remember who we are and who we follow.
Understand the enemy’s deception
Dear faithful believers, I know that the news these days is heavy, but before I dig any further, I want you to keep this truth in mind. God is not silent on these issues. He’s not ignoring the terrifying information updated by the minute or avoiding the impending evil of this world. God knows exactly what is going on. But the recent surge of evil is part of a grander plan, and the enemy is just trying hard to pounce on everything and claim victory. This is written in the books of Daniel, Ezikel, Revelation, and many other books. Satan wants your mind to be confused, your heart to be broken, and your emotions to suffer. God wants you and me (His chosen people) to lose our faith, feel completely helpless, and unable to understand what God declares in His Word. This is all part of “his” game. It has been that way from the beginning (Genesis 3).
please. Don’t be fooled by the enemy’s schemes! Yes, these times are certainly wild, frenetic, and even alarming. However, it is written that all these events will come true. The enemy wants you to doomscroll and stay glued to the news. He wants you to cringe in fear and focus on the tragedy, intrigue, plot twists, and constant disaster. He wants to separate you from the truth!
After all, that’s who he is. He is always on the prowl, waiting for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). It sneaks up behind the scenes, waiting for the moment to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). He will raise up false prophets to deceive and manipulate (1 John 4:1). God is the father of lies (John 8:44), the light of lies (2 Corinthians 11:14), pride (Isaiah 14:12-15), and the master of confusion (1 Corinthians 4:33). He is the ruler of this broken and fallen world (John 12:31). If you want to fight back, you need to understand who your opponent is.
know the essence of god
Ah, but don’t be discouraged, because we are on the winner’s side. As followers of Christ, we know that we are the authors and creators of this life. He is the same, the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). God’s mercies are renewed daily (Lamentations 3:22-23), God’s love endures forever (Jeremiah 31:3), and God works all things for good (Romans 8:28). God is sovereign, just, holy, and righteous (1 John 4:8), and He is an active and vibrant presence in this life (Colossians 1:17). His eternal kingdom will have no end (Luke 1:33). The riches and glory that await God’s beloved children are far beyond our imagination (1 Corinthians 2:9).
In these truly discouraging times, God’s truth, righteousness, and mercy are what we must hold on to and are the key to hope. But we must also recognize that our sinful nature and the reckless patterns of this world can cause us to fail and stumble. This means that it is essential that we intentionally take steps to align ourselves with the Father.
Dear sisters, now is the time to earnestly seek wisdom and discernment about how to endure the spiritual warfare we face, plan accordingly, and dress confidently (Ephesians 6:14-17). are you ready? So read on…
anoint your house with oil
Ephesians 6:12 teaches us that we do not fight against flesh and blood, but against powerful authorities, rulers, and spiritual forces of darkness and evil. This verse is a pretty bold statement, but it is also a warning to protect our areas of life where we have safety and refuge. The same is true in our faith walk and in our families.
When the world feels heavy and the enemy’s voice is loud, our homes should provide a haven and safe space to escape the noise. After all, isn’t this why we lock our doors and the fences around our yards? It’s about creating healthy, secure boundaries. Moreover, when we seek to fill our homes with truth and build them on the foundations of faith, we are sending a clear signal to the enemy that we have taken action to protect our “fortresses” and that everything we possess ultimately belongs to God.
There are several ways to apply oil to your home. This can be as simple as praying in each room, placing Bibles around the house, or anointing doorways, windows, and walkways as symbolic acts to invite the Holy Spirit. This act shows that you and your family are striving to obey God and live according to His will.
proclaim the bible out loud
In Luke 4, Jesus models the power of proclaiming the Bible out loud for us. There are so many great benefits to reading the Bible aloud because God speaks to us through His Word, connects us through His Word, and commands us to become more like Christ.
It not only grows us as believers, but also replaces “noise” with truth. It also puts the enemy in their place and reminds them who you serve. When worry, fear, and anxiety creep in and try to steal your peace, try some of these scriptures.
When you are feeling anxious, proclaim Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7, and John 14:27.
When fear strikes, proclaim Isaiah 41:10, 2 Timothy 1:7, and Psalm 34:4.
When the enemy’s voice is loud, proclaim Deuteronomy 28:7, Isaiah 54:17, Psalm 91, and Ephesians 6:11-18.
practice stillness and silence
If you haven’t noticed, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to practice stillness and seek silence. It’s as if we’ve forgotten what it’s really like. Perhaps we are uncomfortable with silence and have come to find silence awkward. It’s usually in moments like these that we feel “comfortable” looking at our phones or wearing earpods. But what if God wanted a different response?
Psalm 46:10 commands us to be still and know God. But if we’re constantly immersed in the noise that comes with the sound of new notifications, the distractions of political conflicts, the latest updates, or endless scrolling that only adds fuel to already heightened emotions, we can’t truly be in tune with God.
So how do we practice being still and quiet in a world that is so demanding and constantly demanding our attention? It starts with a simple gesture and grows from there. Maybe you turn off the radio on your commute to work and just pray. Maybe it’s sitting in a quiet area of your home, consciously taking deep breaths, and letting your body relax and find peace. You can also find tranquility in nature by taking a morning or evening walk or writing in your gratitude journal. After all, when we make stillness a part of our daily routine and step away from all distractions, we are able to connect more deeply with God and tune into His presence.
prayer for you
Merciful God, today I lift up my sweet sister who is in need of Your presence. Get closer and help her create boundaries in her life so she can banish the noise and tune into the nature of your voice. May she be able to distinguish the truth from all lies by seeking Your wisdom and relying on the Holy Spirit for discernment. Make her home a safe haven and rely on the powerful Bible to provide her with practical ways to seek stillness, silence, and peace. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Photo credit: ©GettyImage/Daniela Jovanovska-Hristovska
Alicia Searle is a dedicated author, blogger, and speaker who is passionate about pouring out her heart and leading women of all ages to Jesus. She has an academic background and holds a master’s degree in reading and writing. Her loved ones call her Mama. So much of her time is spent cheering them on at softball games and dance classes. She’s married to her crush (a tall, spiky-haired blonde) who can make a mean latte. She writes her heart on the page as she sips on the deliciousness while the puppy licks her paws. Visit her website aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
