A Way Through The Noise

Barely two months in, and 2026 has already got some serious weight to it.

I don’t doom scroll, and I’m careful about how I get my daily news and information — all in the name of protecting my peace and not letting what’s going on in the world overshadow what I know about who God is, and most importantly, who God says that I am.

ICE storms.
Freedom under attack.
Daily gaslighting by our own government.
Voices of truth and light fighting to be heard over the constant noise.

I don’t know if it’s hypervigilance, spiritual discernment, or a seesawing mix of both, but it feels like we’re in a season where — now more than ever — what we stand for (or settle for) matters.

I depend on my God-given spirit of power, love, and a sound mind to help me navigate an environment that, more and more, feels deliberately toxic. As if the chaos is designed to keep us anxious, reactive, ungrounded. To make it harder to rest our minds anywhere for very long, so that we are too overwhelmed and mentally exhausted to focus long enough to launch a sustained, effective counter-offense.

It is so tempting to try to shut out the noise, but shutting down is not the answer. We have to stay connected and work to find a way for the voice of truth to pierce the wall of chaos and discord.

Darkness must be acknowledged so that it can be defeated.

But, in the meantime,

How do I keep the weight of the world from sinking into my soul?

“Make your heart as light as a feather
Make as if on air
Make your heart as light as a feather
Of your soul take the most care”
— Caron Wheeler, Lite As a Feather

One of my earliest core memories is Terry Callier’s What Color Is Love. Music has always had an instantaneous effect on me, so I keep a few playlists handy.

I start each day with a Power, Love & Sound Mind playlist that includes songs from Israel Houghton, Chandler Moore, CeCe Winans, and Elevation Worship. Morning praise and worship helps me fill up on faith so there’s less room for fear.

I also have a Sing to My Soul playlist — Stevie Wonder, Teena Marie, New Edition, Tammi Terrell, and other favorites. All sound carries a spirit, and these rhythms help bring me back into spiritual alignment with God’s divinely designed version of me.

I also revisit favorite books, movies, and shows. The Chronicles of Narnia is a favorite destination — a place where ordinary people find their inner light and make courageous choices in pivotal moments that change the world.

Cozy mystery novels do this for me too. They provide an easy reminder that problems can have solutions and that some things can be worked through and made right. I also have my old comfort-tv shows that give me a half-hour retreat to simpler days.

And then there’s my journal.

It’s where I take a higher POV on the noise and re-tune to God’s voice. Sitting still with a pen and a notebook, I pour out whatever I’ve been holding on to. Being able to put my thoughts, feelings, and questions into words — outside of my head — makes room for God to pour His power, love, and sound mind back into me.

Protecting my peace doesn’t mean pretending the world isn’t stormy — inside or out. It means choosing not to let the chaos take up residence in me.

It means doing what it takes to make sure that what’s going on in the world doesn’t outweigh what God is doing in me.

-Mysellations 2:7