Whenever there was a party, a get together of any sort, I would be heading in that direction. It did not matter if there were obstacles to overcome or even the weather trying to hinder my getting there, I went because I loved the atmosphere. I loved the noise! I was one to always like loud music. Some would call it deafening. I always liked being busy, being involved, being out and about. I liked noise! The more the better! Having been brought up in New York, noise was not a problem!! Noisy traffic, noisy trains, noisy people, noisy establishments. In fact, quiet was most unusual…almost scary.
People would ask me, “Why is the music so loud?” “Why is there so much noise?” “Don’t you ever sit still?” I did not like quiet, it was scary. I would do anything to avoid quiet! As much as I knew a lot of people, they were only acquaintances, but few, if any I could call a friend. But the one person I never wanted to be around, much less be alone with, and wanted to avoid at any cost, was myself!
When I would sit with myself, loneliness of life would settle in. Depression would start to overcome me. Feelings of isolation, separation, even abandonment. Depression, sadness, and discouragement would be my only companions. Self pity would then pay a visit. From days of ‘highs’ came times of ‘lows.’ Days of noise brought deafening quiet. I was only left with my thoughts, only with myself… And without God, this was all I was left with. My constant companions! How I longed for the noise!!
God has given us some answers for loneliness, and depression. Psalms 42:6 from the Living Bible tells us; “Yet I am standing here depressed and gloomy, but I will meditate upon your kindness…….” Everything before the ‘but’ states the condition. Everything after the ‘but’ creates the change. Depression and loneliness can be relieved by meditating and pondering on God’s Word, His kindness and goodness. In a society that is working hard to remove God from all aspects of life, is now a society where depression is running at an all-time highest in statistics.
“Why are you in despair, O my soul? And why have you become disturbed within me? Hope in God…” (Psalm 42:11). Our only hope in the midst of difficult emotions, is to set our hopes once again on God.
I am still involved with the noise, and still love it. Yet now I have no problems with the quiet. I can spend hours in the quiet for I can declare; “It is well with my soul!!” Jesus has truly set me free….
He can set you free also. From the time you have asked Him into your heart, He has responded to you in love. Always be in a good church that teaches the Word of God for your life. Take hold of that Word and apply it into your life. Then you will declare; “It is well with my soul!!” Why all the noise now? It is now the sound of freedom!!!!
