Who and What am I Listening to?

Quiet yourself to imagine the sound of a:

A cardinal chirping from a treetop.

Thunder approaching in the distance.

A Baby’s infectious giggle.

Sirens blaring on the metropolitan streets.

Cheering crowd at your local high school event.

We notice sounds all around or the calming silence when we take time to appreciate it. Much of what we hear each hour is valuable and beneficial. And much of what we hear may be worthless or deflating.

What holds your attention holds your focus? Whose voice holds your attention?

You value their ideas, hopes, hurts and heart, and your voice is heard loud and clear in their ear.

The test of time, truthfulness plus the ability to pay attention establishes trust in that relationship.

Many conversations may be encouraging, and some confrontations will be seasoned with correction and discipline to help you grow.

To whom and what am I Listening?

Then there are clamor, racket and noise — random sounds that interfere with your ability to hear what is truly necessary.

We all experience such noises externally, as well as internally.

Beware of the external voices in your life. Quickly judge if people’s words build you up or tear you down … if they speak life or death.

Also, weigh your words before you release them. Is your voice irritating to those close to you? Or refreshing, reviving?

If you are dealing out negativity, expect it back.

If you speak constructively, you will hear that, not only in your ears, but that verbal deposit drops richly into your spirit each time you hear it.

Beware of the internal voices in your life.

Most of us, if not all, experience an internal conversation, known as self-talk.

Self-talk happens in positive or negative ways and impacts your actions, attitudes, and choices.

Poor self-talk produces low morale, difficulty, or self-defeat. This leads to stress or sadness that sabotages one’s success.

Healthy self-talk flips things around for good!

I have listened to voices inside of me.

Sometimes it’s obviously just me. many times, it is God’s Spirit. other times something dark or discouraging.

Years ago, a friend of mine, named Darrell, would pray over me like this:

“May you hear the voice of the Good Shepherd, and the voice of the stranger you will deny (reject, ignore).”

I’ve never forgot his loving prayers and encouragement. Following his example, I have prayed for many others this way.

I love the voice of my Good Shepherd, Master, and Savior — Christ Jesus. I can’t stand the deceptive, depleting lies of the enemy, satan.

Who do I Listen to?

When eating certain fruits, we eat the juicy part but spit out the tiny seed.

Similarly, choose wisely regarding who and what goes into the ears of your heart or spirit.

“ … when He brings out His own sheep, He goes before them; and the sheep follow Him, for they know His voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” John 10:4-5 NKJV