I once asked a friend what they did when everything got too much, on those days where basic functioning was difficult. There are times I’m sure when most people will experience that. Stress can trigger it or grief or disappointment or… well, let’s just go with the knocks of life. My friend told me that they unplug from most communications and concentrate on a single task while listening to instrumental baroque music.
I have other friends who have told me how much comfort music brings. And I have a few set pieces I go to when stressed or anxious because I know they will break through the negative feelings and bring me to a level place where I can find peace. I also find that music can help express emotions that perhaps I struggle to communicate – some pieces of music just click into how I’m feeling which sorts out the jumble and confusion inside.
Today I was listening to a shuffled playlist and a piece of music came on that just made me stop and listen. I didn’t think I was particularly stressed, buy as I listened I felt a sense of peace I didn’t know I needed. It occurred to me that the power of music is a tool used by God. We are not the first to use music as a way to calm our minds and emotions and I’m sure we will not be the last.
But way back, in the Old Testament, before David was king he was a shepherd boy who also played the lyre. The king at the time was King Saul. He was troubled ‘an evil spirit’ – the bible isn’t more specific than that. But it does say that David was recruited to play for him when he was afflicted and Saul would feel better. Music could calm the mind and emotions of an afflicted King way back then in much the same way it can today. Its no surprise then that music is a common thread for people looking for comfort and internal peace. It’s like God’s gift to us to help us look through the storm and find him.
Yesterday I talked about finding calm in the storm, an oasis of tranquility. Today, I’m giving a suggestion on how to find one. God’s already given us the tools, we just need to use them.
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