'Noise' what is it?
When we think of noise we think of some loud sound irritating, or hurting our eardrums. Yes it is rightly so and more.
There is noise everywhere. In the air, in photography and paintings and also in our minds.
Let's look at the following noise:-
[In digital photographs, “noise” is the commonly-used term to describe visual distortion. It looks similar to grain found in film photographs, but can also look like splotches of discoloration when it’s really bad, and can ruin a photograph. Noise tends to get worse when you’re shooting in low light.]
The above paragraph is taken from the link below.
https://www.adorama.com/alc/0012955/article/FAQ-What-is-Noise-in-a-Digital-Photograph
Yes there is noise in photographs and only a skilled photographer will be able to discover and rectify the distortion which destroys it.
The noise in the air which reaches our ears as sound is regulated by humans if it is of human origin or if it is of machine origin and which can be controlled by man. Noise from all other sources for example creatures and nature, we accept it as it comes.
We can't change noise that is not within our control. Yet we can choose whether we want to stay within the vicinity of that noise which hurts our ears, or leave.
There is noise on TV and the media. Here again we can't change it but we can modulate the noise that reaches our ears from the TV, mobile or computer or we can shut it down completely. That is within our control.
Now what about the noise in our minds? Yes, there is noise produced as millions of thoughts race through our minds daily, every second. Thoughts that make us glad, thoughts that make us sad and thoughts that make us mad. Anxious thoughts, hurtful thoughts, depressing thoughts, discouraging thoughts, revengeful thoughts, bitter thoughts, fearful thoughts and lustful, sinful thoughts.
There is no end to thinking. Our minds are always occupied and when it is empty we are either under general anaesthesia or dead, because when we sleep our subconscious mind takes over and fills it with thoughts. Just as we have no control over where the wind blows, we have no control over the thoughts that get blown or thrown into our minds. Yet again we have control over what we want to do with those thoughts. We have the ability to choose, not to entertain negative and sinful thoughts but think only about thoughts that build us up and give us peace.
The external noise does not shape us nor destroy us. It is actually the distorted noise in our minds that destroys us. Our thoughts shape our minds and us. Positive thoughts build us up and negative thoughts break us down.
Can our minds be devoid of noise? Yes it can be, but it cannot be devoid of thoughts.
When thoughts become distorted (negative) in our minds it becomes noise. So we need to quieten our minds and control the thoughts.
How do we quieten our minds?
By meditating one may say. You can meditate but you can and must never leave your minds empty while soothing music is being played as some practise in their meditation exercises. These exercises help to relax us but thoughts will still be blown into our minds and we need to learn how to deal with all the noisy thoughts.
The world uses various 'Mind Control' techniques to quieten the mind, for example hypnotism, transcendental meditation, yoga and others. The ways of the world is not God's Way and these are destructive.
No matter how we try, we will never be able to quieten our minds except by filling it with God's Word. Try all we want, nothing else will bring peace into our minds, our souls and spirits.
We need to occupy our minds with calm and peaceful thoughts as we meditate, so as to quieten it.
If you correct your mind, the rest of your life will fall into place :- says Lao Tzu. But only the Bible teaches us how to do it.
What better way to quieten the noise in our minds and correcting it than filling it with God's Word?
God's Word teaches us how to quieten the noise in our minds in Philippians 4:8 NLT
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
We need to allow God to transform our minds. God's Word says in Romans 12:2 NLT
"Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think, that is, by changing your mind. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect."
When the noise in our minds is eliminated we will begin to think clearly, just as when the noise in a photograph is corrected the photograph becomes clearer to the eye. When our minds are quietened and transformed by God then He promises us this in Hebrews 8:10
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
Then we will know the plans He has for us and we will walk in His ways and be able to live lives pleasing to God.
Therefore let us eliminate the NOISE (distortion of thoughts)from our minds and fill it up with God's Word.
God bless you.
Mary Augustine
