Let's Thrive - Day 20 - "Voice of Truth"

    In the movie, The Man From Snowy River,  Clancy comes upon Spur's place while he's talking to himself and nearly scares spur right out of his skin.  Spur lectures him. "Clancy, [you're] always sneekin' around, makin' no noise."
    Clancy responds with a glint in his eye. "I heard noise, I heard voices."
    Spur coughs a bit and teases his old friend by telling him, "Aha, sure sign of old age when you start hearin' things."
    My thoughts today are about the many different voices we hear communicating to us throughout the day.  Sometimes they are subtle whispers like when we look in the mirror and hear "You're getting wrinkles and gaining weight. You're really not so pretty anymore."  Sometimes the voices practically shout at us "You dummy!  What did you do that for?  What on earth were you thinking?"  Some voices tell us we're not good enough, smart enough, efficient enough, or just plain enough.  Other voices remind us of our mistakes and faults and tell us to give up trying to change because it's just plain useless.  We hear messages that tell us we have to act a certain way, decorate our home in a specific manner, or make a minimum amount of money in order to fit in or be important in this world.  Once in awhile we hear actual voices from people we know that criticize us or demean us in some way and we believe them and lose confidence.  There are so many voices in this world that it can be confusing and even disheartening to try to know who and what to believe.  
    One thing though, that I am certain of is that we are all children of a Divine Being who loves us very much and wants the very best for us.  We have a worth inside us that is godly and divine that no other voice can change, no matter how hard they shout.  When I start getting bogged down with all of the voices in the world trying to tell me who to be and what's wrong with me,  that is when I find I have to shut them all out, close my eyes, and listen to the inner voice of truth that tells me to trust in Him and that I am His daughter.   It can be difficult to do at times and takes great concentration, but it's possible.  I love the song by Casting Crowns called The Voice of Truth.  I love the declaration, "I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth."  This morning when I woke up discouraged and began to listen to the disparaging chatter in my mind, I heard this song and fought hard to listen to only one voice... the voice of truth.

But the voice of truth
tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth
Says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe
the voice of truth.
~By Casting Crowns