Just Be Quiet

It's a noisy world, isn't it? 

Your phone now makes you accessible 24/7, the television news networks are 24/7, Social media and the Information age has brought us a seemingly never ending array of opinions, rants and differentiating belief systems.

We are connected more than ever before, which isn't a bad thing, if you understand how to find a balance in this new technological age.  Balance is certainly the key and over the last year what I've learned is, it's necessary.

Ultimately nobody forces you to turn on the television, to follow that twitter account or go to that person's Facebook page that drives you crazy.  It's your choice. 

Isn't it ever so tempting when something "big" is going on in the news to watch, soak and bathe in these stories?  Soon after, you may find yourself underneath the posts in the comments sections for hours soaking it all in on Facebook, Youtube, Instagram, Twitter, or any other social media platforms.

If you're not careful, you may even end up in one of those online battles where you are in a never ending battle of back and forth, like kids on the playground fighting over a swing, except the world's watching and your character is on display for the world to see.

Do you realize you have a choice to not partake in any of this and Just Be Quiet?
  
So... Just Be Quiet... Those are the words God spoke to me a few months ago.  I realized I had to shut up and listen to the creator of everything, My Father in heaven. 

Try being quiet, I challenge you.  Believe me it's hard. 

World events are changing daily, someone is enticing you daily to get inside some gossip.  Someone you see something in isn't performing up to your expectations.  You're mad at politics, the government, businesses, people, neighbors, co workers, the list may never end, unless you let it. 

One of the greatest mentors of all time Jim Rohn says, "You can't change the seasons, but you can change yourself."  It starts there.

See many of us, including myself have it backwards.  We think we can control all of our external environment and we are irritated by it most times from sun up to sun down, but what we fail to realize is we are doing it to our-self.

From the morning news, to the Facebook feeds, to the Nightly news, to watching TV or scrolling through our phone at night in bed; It's eating us alive and we feel like we need to share it and tell the world how we feel about it, which then adds to our issues.

Remember this: Confidence is quiet, Insecurities are loud.

You can only control you, and the way you think, act and look at the world.  You can't control the weather, the stock market, the media, foreign wars, democrats and republicans, celebrities..etc.   

The only person you are truly in charge of is you.

Maybe each day instead of going straight to your phone when you wake up, talk radio, or the morning show, you can start off with a prayer like this:

"God it's not up to me, it's up to you.  You are God and I pray for (name's) and for this world.  I'm reminded you are my Father and you have everyone's heart in the palm of your hand.  Let your light shine through into their life and remind me I can't do this on my own.  Let my life be a reflection of you.  I am just the vessel, you are the one who is guiding my every step."

That prayer right there could change your life.  It's changed mine. 

I've found that in my hopes to save or change someone's world, I usually end up ruining my own or I end up exerting everything I have and in the end the person either try's to take from you or make a mockery of you, and then they usually run away.

The great news is there is a savior and it's God's son Jesus Christ and I'm not Him, not even close.  I've surrendered that character trait of myself to Him.  I cannot save the world.

I now understand when to pray harder for a person than personally try to save a person.

I've always thought God had me on a different path for a reason.  I used to literally try to motivate everyone I knew and saw every single day, only to be basically rejected, laughed at and pushed away.  I couldn't wait to give people a piece of my mind on how I could change their life forever.  I couldn't wait to jump on that post and give my opinion. I couldn't wait to be heard.

Let me tell you, it was the wrong philosophy.  It was mostly my ego taking over.

Edging 
God
Out

I've learned through my walk with God that it's important that I humble myself before Him every single day and I keep constantly asking and seeking for wisdom and knowledge because let me tell you, the more people you lead, the more people you get to know, the more challenging it gets.  

"He who is asked to do much, much is required."

So maybe today this is the day everything changes for you. Take the daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly challenge or don't take any, like I said you're in control.  It's completely up to you.


Next time you are riled up and worked up about something or if you're just sick and tired of being sick and tired...

Take the challenge:

Just Be Quiet Challenge

1) Slow Down (Ask why am I feeling this way)
2) Be Quiet (Wait 24 hours or else you are going to be lashing out on emotions)
3) Sleep on it (Wake up, Pray that prayer, Ask if it's still worth addressing)
4) Turn it off (Read your favorite book, Go get ice cream, Take a walk, Observe Nature, Do what you love)
5) Get Creative (Take up a new hobby, learn something new, give back to something, forgive)
6) It's a New Day (Smile)

I hope this post finds you doing well and as always build a life of character, integrity, trust and respect.  Stay true to your heart always, seek God first in all things you do.


God Bless.