Have you ever felt overwhelmed with everyone and everything around you? I know I have; I have reached a point where I felt as though everyone, I came in contact with was speaking another language. From communicating with those I do on a daily basis at home and at work, to the posts I would see on social media. It felt like everywhere I looked I only seen opposition. I reached a point where I had decided I needed a break from it all. In hindsight I think it’s just what God had wanted in that moment.

I had to take a step back and completely give a break to the synthetic materials of this world including media. As someone who is an avid social media checker, enjoys watching the news, and listens to music daily this was eye opening. A couple of weeks away from outside noise gave me a sense of peace I never knew I needed. The quiet time alone making dinner and not putting in headphones to listen to modern music with words that spoke about obscenities sounds so obvious, but it wasn’t to me.

In fact, it wasn’t until I abstained from watching reality tv shows or movies that have a premise completely against my values that I realized how I had been trashing my mind. What we put into our bodies directly effects how we move and interact within the world. Being mindful of the music we are listening to and the tv or social media we are consuming can be one of the simplest and effective, yet unnoticed practices we can partake in. I would recommend this to anyone, Christian or unbeliever. If you become intentional even if for a month to what it is you take in to your senses you will discover the extreme effect these types of things can have on your nervous system.

Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will.

It’s no wonder so many of us end up lost or uncertain if we are heading in the right direction with our daily decisions (big or small). When we are taking in sensory information from this world that is how Satan intricately and effortlessly removes us from God’s path.