Most days it seems like the world is screaming at me. Phones ding, inboxes fill up, work and family demands pile higher and higher. Everything feels so loud.
And all I want to do is sit in the quiet I can’t seem to find.
Does your life feel loud?
Here are 5 simple ways to find quiet when life feels noisy:
Open Your Bible
Yes, it really is that simple. The Bible is the living Word of God. Opening His Word invites a quiet in your soul that nothing else can manufacture. His presence is the quiet your soul is seeking.
I know it feels hard sometimes. There’s no time and life is busier by the second. I’ve had seasons where I’ve left my Bible open on the kitchen counter, catching a glimpse of a scripture or phrase as I grabbed plates for dinner or cleaned up another spill. You can’t find these moments if your Bible is collecting dust on a shelf. (Believe me, I know.)
Even a moment in the Word is better than waiting for the perfect circumstances for a Bible time. Perfect never comes. Embrace the moments.
Step Away
Sometimes a few steps is all it takes. When the house is spinning crazy, step outside. When the kids are so loud in the car, take a minute outside after loading the groceries. When work is screaming, leave the phone on your desk and go to the restroom. Removing yourself from the noise does more than bring quiet. It changes your perspective and fortifies you to go back.
I’m not the only mama that’s hidden in the bathroom in the middle of a long day. Yes, the kids always find you, but savor the moment.
God's presence is the quiet your soul is seeking. Share on XShut It Down
Technology screams louder than our people do sometimes. It’s so easy to think we are more efficient when we are always available, always doing, always multitasking. If that’s how we use technology we are letting anyone with our email address or phone number decide how we go about our day. Choose your technology times wisely. Set times to shut down the technology and you eliminate a large part of the noise.
Exhale
It sounds simple, too simple. But the power of breathing is not to be dismissed. In the midst of all of Job’s trials in the Bible he declares, “The Spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life,” (Job 33:4). When we are longing for life in the midst of trials it is the breath of God that brings what we are looking for.
Be Quiet
This might be the hardest one for me. As the ring leader of this circus, I seem to be talking all the time. And when I’m not talking, I’m doing. Dishes, laundry, work, school forms, it never ends.
But you can stop. Stop talking for a few minutes. Stop doing all the things. Just be still and invite God’s presence. Check out the September 27 entry of this book. Read it like God is speaking to you.
Relax in My Everlasting Arms. Your weakness is an opportunity to grow strong in awareness of My Almighty Presence. When your energy fails you, do not look inward and lament the lack you find there. Look to Me and My sufficiency; rejoice in My radiant riches that are abundantly available to help you.
Sarah Young
No matter how loud life feels, you can find quiet and peace.
Check out these great sites I’m linking up with: Literacy Musing Mondays, Purposeful Faith, Tea & Word Tuesday, Abounding Grace, Tell His Story, Porch Stories, Let’s Have Coffee, Worth Beyond Rubies, Moments of Hope, Tune in Thursday, Dance with Jesus, Fresh Market Friday, Faith ‘n Friends, Blogger Voices Network, Grace & Truth, Heart Encouragement
Thank you! Today I was in the forest, seeking for mushrooms. Good to be there. And sat down and read my Bible via my phone
What a sweet time to spend in God’s creation and His Word!
I’m discovering that even when I’m “quiet”, I may not be quiet, if you know what I mean. If my mind is still racing and my hands are still busy, it doesn’t matter that my lips aren’t moving. I am working on “stillness” even in the midst of being busy. Thanks for this, Rebecca!
This is such a good distinction, and I think we need both. We need times of absolute quiet, from all that is around us to deep down to our soul. But we also need ways to find quiet within ourselves even in the busy around us!
Well, one thing is certain: we’ll never find it if we don’t make room for it.
Thanks for these simple and yet oddly challenging thoughts on how to clear the deck.
Good luck clearing the deck, friend!
Beautiful and powerful, Rebecca. The world and our world is a noisy place. God’s presence and His Word are the quiet our soul needs. This reminded me of a story in Mark 6 when the disciples returned from ministry and gave Jesus a report. As always the crowds were pressing in and Jesus told the disciples, “Let’s go off by ourselves to a quiet place and rest awhile.” (verse 31)
YES! I love that story. What a precious reminder to take time for quiet and rest.
Rebecca! This is so good! Quiet is vastly underrated in our culture. I love all five of these. I’ve also noticed the power of a few deep breaths. I focus on breathing often when I feel stressed. It helps; it really does!
Yes! I’m just starting to explore the value of deep breaths. I’m finding it has a huge impact!
Such simple, but effective tips. I think we forget sometimes! Thanks for a reminder.
So glad we can encourage one another!
Rebecca,so much wisdom in this post! Your words reflect something God’s been showing me lately. We have to CHOOSE quiet moments. When we don’t choose to do one of the suggestions you listed, they aren’t going to happen. It’s our own version of self-care. And when we do these things, we do find ourselves refreshed and strengthened.
Great post!
Yes! It is so important to make time and pace for that type of self-care!
Oh, I love this post, Rebecca. The older I get, the more I yearn for quiet. All the noise is too distracting to this aging brain!
These days? Nothing playing in the car, no notifications binging on my phone, TV off when not in use.
I hear His voice much clearer as a result. And that’s where I need to be …
Isn’t it amazing?! We can hear when we’re quiet enough!
Life has felt pretty LOUD lately, Rebecca! Thanks for this! “God’s presence is the quiet your soul is seeking.” <— I like that quote. I'm about to take a break and unplug for a couple of weeks and I am so excited about it!!!
Pinned, tweeted and will share on the InstaEncouragements FB.
Thanks for linking up at InataEncouragements!
So excited for your break! I pray it is a deep, soul-filling time!
I’ve made a commitment to taking a Sabbath break once a week from technology (Ok, more specifically social media). I still use my computer to process photos I take on Sabbath morning and FaceTime with my kids. But that’s it. It has improved my Sabbath rest and helped me focus on what’s really important.
I want so much to do this, but it feels so hard. I think I just need to choose on aspect (like social media) to start with. Thanks for the encouragement!
Rebecca, I love this post. Life is so hectic, busy and stressful. Being quiet before God is absolutely the answer! Thanks for sharing this.
Amen!
Thanks for this reminder, Rebecca. Sometimes the noise can be overwhelming. We need to be intentional about being still and quieting our souls. Blessings to you!
It really is about being intentional because it won’t happen otherwise, will it?
I could definitely use some quiet!
I appreciate the tip about getting away. I need to do this more often, particularly by getting outside. Most of the time, my getting away is those few minutes in the bathroom away from my kids that you mentioned!
Well, even that trip to the bathroom alone (fingers crossed) can make a difference. But yes, purposing time away can bring so much peace.
Thanks for sharing this. I pray when I need some quiet.
What a great thing to do when you need quiet for your soul.
Good tips! It’s so important to use technology to our advantage rather than letting it rule our lives!
It can be a tricky balance for sure!
Sometimes the hardest noise for me to quiet is the noise within my own head. I find it hard to turn off the thinking, planning, worrying. I’m finding breathing, reading Scripture, and music help to quiet this inner noise.
YES! I’m right there with you! The things spinning in my head need to take a vacation! Until then, these tips definitely help!
Hi, I’m from the Heart Encouragement link party.
Thanks for this post and the all important reminder that we need to be still and God is the quietness our soul seeks.
So glad you’re here, Betty!
Your 5 ways are wise. For the past 2 years my husband and I have started the day with a passage of scripture. The time in the Word has gradually lengthened each morning. It is such a good beginning to the day and I find that I am using my time better throughout the day. (BTW the phone ringing is always jarring to me.)
What a beautiful, sweet time for you and your hubby to share each day!
It seems that we always need reminders, even when it seems so obvious, yet we still fail to practice that which will bring us rest. We think that the “noisy” things will bring us peace and happiness, but in the end they don’t.
Thanks for sharing your insights here. 🙂
Yes! The noisy things can look good, but really they are not what our soul needs.
Excellent Rebecca. Good starting points for quietness.
Blessings,
Homer Les
http://www.uncompromisingfaith.ca
Thanks! So glad you’re here.
Thanks for such a beautiful post. Thanks for linking up at the #GatheringofFriendsLinkParty 6 Pinned
I’m so glad you’re here, connecting people on this great big internet of beautiful ideas!
Rebecca, nothing stills my soul more than the sight of my Bible open on either my desk or kitchen counter. You are so right – every moment counts and can make all the difference.
It is a beautiful thing, for sure. An open Bible is more beautiful than a closed Bible!
Great thoughts on how to find quiet in a noisy world! And also can be applied to our thoughts that sometimes can create more noise than the world outside.
Thanks for sharing.
Yes, absolutely true!
I agree with all these suggestions—thank you for naming them! Being intentional is key, especially these days. Stopping by from #letshavecoffee 🤗
So glad you’re here!