How to turn down the noise?
Psalm 131:1-3
Can we be calm, peaceful, and at rest on the inside when chaos and noise surround us? One of the greatest examples in the Bible of a quiet soul is David, the most famous king of Israel. He was a warrior, politician, family man, visionary, musician, and songwriter. If anyone understood the meaning of facing constant stress and pressure, it was David. This ancient king recognized something our frenetic twenty-first-century culture desperately needs: he knew how to have a quiet soul. This week, we will explore Psalm 131 to see that only God is utterly worthy of our hope and will never disappoint us.1. When you imagine yourself in a calm and peaceful environment, what does it look like for you? When, if ever, did you last find yourself there?
2. Read Psalm 131. Two times, David said he was like a “weaned child.” What is the difference between a weaned child and one that hasn’t been weaned yet?
3. Weaning isn’t easy, but it allows God to calm and quiet our noisy, restless souls. In Psalm 131, God reveals that to reach a place where we can quiet and calm ourselves, we must learn to be weaned. What do you need to be weaned from? What thoughts come to mind that are so noisy that you can’t find rest?
4. Why do we find it so hard to remove destructive habits and thought patterns from our lives?
5. Psalm 131:1 says, “My heart is not proud, LORD.” Read 1 Peter 5:6-7. Humbling yourself and casting your anxiety are connected as cause and effect -- casting our anxiety on God requires humbling ourselves first. Talk this through with your group. Why do you think it works this way?
6. When you make yourself the center of every story, you will likely feel stressed. The more you immerse yourself in God’s grand narrative, the lower your anxiety will be. When people focus on serving God by loving and helping others, a greater peace will enter their souls. If you wish to find yourself, lose yourself in a story that is bigger than you. Serving others has been a recurring theme in this series. Why does it require humility to serve other people?
7. Read Psalm 131:1b: "LORD, my eyes are not haughty.” What do you think it means to have haughty eyes?
8. Read Proverbs 14:30. How could you state this verse in another way?
9. The third part of Psalm 131:1 states, “I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me." In essence, David is saying, “There’s a lot I don’t know. I don’t have all the answers. I don’t know all the facts. I don’t understand everything. And I’m okay with that. I am okay with not having to bear the weight of controlling everything.” How does believing you must be in control of everything lead to stress and anxiety in your life?
10. Read Isaiah 30:15. We can find rest for our souls in quietness and confidence. Faith is about allowing God to set the direction of our lives, even when we don’t know the details. Do we truly believe God is in control and that He loves us? If so, then why do we feel the need to play God? Why do we think we have to be in a position of control?
Homework Assignment: Quieting the Inner Noise
This week, take intentional steps to quiet the inner noise by focusing on each of the three points from the sermon. Use the prompts and actions below to guide you as you practice finding rest and contentment in God.
Day 1: Mute the Voice of Pride
1. Read: Psalm 131:1 and 1 Peter 5:6-7. Reflect on what these verses teach about humility and reliance on God.
2. Journal Prompt:
- What areas of your life reveal pride, such as striving for recognition or relying on your own strength?
- How might surrendering these areas to God bring peace to your mind and heart?
3. Action Step: Each time you feel tempted to focus on yourself today, pause and pray, asking God to help you shift your focus to Him.
Day 2: Unsubscribe from the feed of Comparison
1. Read: Proverbs 14:30 and Psalm 131:1. Consider how comparison affects your gratitude and contentment.
2. Journal Prompt:
- What situations or relationships tempt you to compare yourself to others?
- How can you replace feelings of envy with gratitude for what God has given you?
3. Action Step: Write a list of 10 things you are grateful for today, and thank God for each one. Whenever comparison arises, remind yourself of this list.
Day 3: Hand over the remote Control
1. Read: Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 131:1. Reflect on what it means to trust in God’s sovereignty.
2. Journal Prompt:
- What situations in your life feel out of control and cause you anxiety?
- What would it look like to surrender these situations to God fully?
3. Action Step: Write a prayer of surrender, giving over the specific areas where you feel the need to control. Pray this prayer each time anxiety or control arises today.