The Sound Track of Our Lives

One of the first times I heard of Graham Cooke,

was several years ago at a conference for Aglow International. 

A phrase he used was “The soundtrack of our lives”. 

Those words stuck in my heart like an old song. 

They caused me to begin an investigation of my heart and life so profound that I had no idea where those notes would take me. 

I have spent no small amount of time picking apart my “soundtrack’ and learning how to place each note firmly into the lap of Jesus. 

Here is a quick list of just some of the things I discovered along a not so quick exploration of what was underneath that “soundtrack”. 

There is only room for one headline.  

We are prone to only being able to process one trauma at a time. 

When we become assaulted with trauma after trauma,

our minds have an amazing ability to protect themselves.

If the “soundtrack” is loud enough,

we can drown out the pain and confusion of those assaults.

We convince ourselves that we are strong enough to handle it all alone.

If we cannot handle it alone,

our tendencies lean towards placing blame on others; 

If someone else would have….. then we could have….. 

If someone else didn’t ….. Then we wouldn’t ….. 

We can fill in the blanks however we need to. 

The fact remains that we aren’t facing our own trials and tribulations.

If there is no one else to blame,

we deny that there is a problem at all.

Denial sends our trauma to the deepest part of our hearts.

It hides there and plays quietly over and over and over again,

until something happens to bring it all back to the surface again.

When this happens, we continue to hear that “soundtrack”. 

We keep on hearing that one track over and over,

which diverts our attentions everywhere except where it needs to be.

Dealing with our trials and tribulations head on.

This can take the form of any kind of compulsive behavior, excessive habit or addiction. 

From sleeping to eating to drug and alcohol abuse. 

From over working, over exercising, over vacationing,

over internet-ting, over hobby-ing, over TV/movie watching,

over anything.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think any of these things are inherently bad.

It is in the over use of them that they become a dangerous continuous loop.

I know that this is just the short list of things that play constantly in the background of our lives.

These are our own personal “Soundtracks”.

Everyone’s is a bit different,

But they are good place to start.

 

So.  What’s the answer then?

How can we change the our tune? 

How can we get to a different station?

 

We have tried just about everything. 

These “soundtracks” made us think we were getting better,

getting past the trauma.

The truth of the matter was,

these fixes only last a short time before the distracting “soundtrack” begins again,

Each time, louder than the last.

Personally, I have found only one thing that works,

And that is the Word of God.

Which is the very thing that my “soundtrack” wants to cover up.

Since God’s word speaks in a still small voice,

His voice is easy to miss.

I have to be really intentional about hearing it.

I have to place myself in a position to hear His voice.

 

The following categories of thought have been a great help to me;

*Mind renewal

*Listening for His voice

*Replacing the continuous loop of negativity by singing a new song

*Receiving joy from God Himself

*Being very intentional about all of the above

 

I have to choose it. 

Choose joy. 

It will not come to me all by itself.

Following are some scriptures to peruse.

You can use one or all.

Each is beneficial.   

 

Psalm 51:10  Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Colossians 3:9-10  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Isaiah 28:23   Listen and hear my voice; pay attention and hear what I say.

John 10:27   My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

Hebrews 3:15   As has just been said: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.”

Psalm 33:3   Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Psalm 118:14 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.

Psalm 98:4 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;

Psalm 119:54   Your decrees are the theme of my song

James 1:25  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

1 Chronicles 28:9   “As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.

 Hebrews 4:12  For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7  But the Lord told him, “Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts.”

Psalm 16:11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.

 Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. Psalm 94:19  When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

Psalm 149:4-6   For the Lord takes delight in his people;he crowns the humble with salvation.  Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.  May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands.

Please take some time to find out what the real soundtrack is for your life. 

The one God created for you, not the one that the world has fed you from the beginning.

You are fearfully and wonderfully made.  Psalm 139:14

If you need help getting started, please visit the rescue page at the top of this blog.

                A new “Soundtrack” awaits you.                       

*