The Noise We Don’t Always Recognize

This blog post isn’t about a book, but a book (For Women Who Are Call by Women Who Have Answered by Kim Haney) did stir something in me. As I was reading, a quote stopped me in my tracks:

“Sometimes, you have to get to the place where you must quiet the noise! God does not scream nor is He rude to interrupt. He speaks in a still, small voice to those who long to hear His words. All true ministry is simply relaying to people the words of the Lord. However, I cannot give what I do not hear.”

— For Women Who Are Called by Women Who Have Answered, p. 7–8

That last line made me stop and think, “Hold up…what did that say?”

I cannot give what I do not hear.

That one statement made me start paying attention to something I had noticed before, but not in the way I thought I would.

The noise.

Because noise comes in all forms, and sometimes it doesn’t look loud at all. Sometimes it just looks like normal life. Responsibilities, routines, things that need to get done.

For me, sometimes it looks like the chaos of my home. Things out of place. A room that feels undone. And suddenly, my mind feels the same way.

I wouldn’t call myself a perfectionist, but I do love order. I like things to feel settled. And when that order feels off, it’s like everything in me starts to spiral just a little, even if I try to ignore it.

Maybe that sounds dramatic.

But it’s real.

And it made me realize something important.

I’ve learned what noise sounds like in my life.

Guarding Your Heart Starts with Awareness

Once you recognize the noise, you start seeing it everywhere.

Sometimes it’s as simple as picking up your phone.

You see a notification. You tap it. You check one thing, then another, and before you know it, thirty minutes are gone. Not because you meant to stay there, but because noise has a way of pulling you in quietly and keeping you longer than you intended.

Other times, it’s what we’re allowing into our minds without even thinking about it.

What we watch. What we listen to. Who we surround ourselves with.

All of it matters more than we think because all of it is shaping something inside of us.

I shared in another post, Let This Mind Be In You, that when our mindset begins to shift toward the things of God, everything else begins to follow. The way we think changes. The way we speak changes. Even the way we live begins to reflect Him more clearly.

That shift doesn’t happen by accident, and it doesn’t happen overnight. It happens in the small, daily choices we make about what we allow into our hearts and what we choose to dwell on.

And if I’m honest, this is where it gets a little more personal.

Because it’s one thing to recognize the noise around us. It’s another thing to let God deal with what’s happening inside of us.

Another quote from Kim Haney’s book really hit home with me:

“You can lay over an altar all day long and weep and cry and pray, then get up from that place of worship and refuse to recognize that carnal, worldly thing in your life that is attached to you as a spirit sucker—something that keeps you from advancing, growing, and maturing in God.”

— For Women Who Are Called by Women Who Have Answered, p. 146

That’s a hard truth.

Because sometimes it’s not just the noise around us.

Sometimes it’s what we allow to stay attached to us.

And no amount of prayer will move us forward if we are unwilling to let God deal with the things that are quietly draining us.

And that’s where guarding your heart really begins.

Why Guarding Your Heart Matters More Than We Think

“Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
– Proverbs 4:23 (KJV)

Guarding your heart isn’t just about avoiding the “big” things we often think about.

It’s about recognizing the small, subtle distractions that slowly pull you away from hearing His voice. The things that don’t seem harmful at first, but over time, they begin to crowd out the quiet places where God wants to meet with you.

The enemy doesn’t always come in loud and obvious ways. Sometimes it’s distraction. Sometimes it’s busyness. Sometimes it’s simply keeping you so full of noise that you never slow down long enough to listen.

And when that happens, we don’t even realize what we’re missing.

Because it’s in the quiet where God speaks.

Learning to Quiet the Noise and Listen

I had a moment recently during prayer where I stopped talking.

I just listened.

And the words that kept coming to my heart were simple.

“Make me a vessel.”

Not loud. Not overwhelming. Just steady and gentle, but clear.

And in that moment, it was like the Lord gently reminded me of something I needed to hear.

He hasn’t left me. He hasn’t forgotten me. He hasn’t been silent.

I just needed to quiet the noise long enough to hear Him.

As I sat there, it felt like the Lord wrapped His arms around me in a way I can’t fully explain. Like a mother comforting her child after they’ve been hurt. The kind of moment where everything doesn’t magically fix itself, but you know deep down that it’s going to be okay.

And the truth is… I almost missed it.

Not because God wasn’t speaking, but because there was so much competing for my attention.

Guarding Your Heart in a Noisy World Looks Like This

If we don’t guard our hearts, the noise will fill the space that was meant for His voice.

And if I’m honest, I can’t do what God has called me to do if I’m constantly distracted. I can’t pour into others if I’m not first listening to Him. I can’t walk in the Spirit if I’m always pulled in another direction.

I can’t give what I do not hear.

So maybe this isn’t about doing more.

Maybe it’s about quieting more.

Turning down the noise where we can. Stepping away from the distractions when we need to. Creating space, even in small moments, to hear Him again.

Because when we walk in the Spirit, like Galatians reminds us, something begins to change inside of us. Not all at once, but little by little, day by day.

And in a world that never seems to slow down, guarding your heart might just start with choosing what you allow to have your attention and choosing, again and again, to listen for Him.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, distracted, or just a little disconnected lately, you’re not alone. Life gets loud. Responsibilities pile up. And sometimes we don’t even realize how much noise we’re carrying until we stop long enough to notice it.

So here’s a gentle invitation for you this week.

Take a moment. Just one.

Turn everything else down, even if it’s only for a few minutes, and simply sit with the Lord. You don’t have to have the perfect words. You don’t have to have it all together.

Just come.

Listen.

Let Him meet you right where you are.

You might be surprised at what you hear when everything else gets quiet.

If this spoke to your heart today, I would love for you to share it with someone else who might need this reminder too. You never know who is feeling the same pull and just needs a little encouragement to pause and listen.

And if you’re longing for more encouragement like this each week, I would love for you to join my Stay Rooted emails. It’s where I share Scripture, real-life moments, and gentle reminders to help you stay grounded in your walk with the Lord, even when life feels chaotic.

You don’t have to do this alone. We’re walking this together.

And the quotes I shared came from a book that has truly challenged and encouraged me in this season. I’ve linked it below if you’d like to take a deeper look.

For Women Who Are Called by Women Who Have Answered by Kim Haney

Remember, I’m always praying for you—even if I don’t know who you are.

When Life Feels Like Too Much

Lately, life has felt full.

Good things. Hard things. Unexpected things.

From stepping into something new with Macon Sweet Farms… To walking through financial stress… To trying to balance family, home, and everything in between…

It’s been a lot.

And somewhere in the middle of all of it, I found myself saying it out loud:

“God… I’m tired.”

Trusting God When You Don’t Understand

There’s a verse I keep coming back to in this season:

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)

If I’m honest, the hard part isn’t reading that verse.

It’s living it.

Because trusting God sounds simple… until you’re in a situation where nothing makes sense.

Until things don’t line up. Until the answers aren’t clear. Until you feel stretched further than you expected.

That’s where trust becomes a choice.

Faith Is Still a Choice

God has always given us a choice. From the very beginning. He didn’t force love. He didn’t force obedience. He gave the opportunity to choose.

And He still does the same for us today.

We get to choose:

• Will I trust Him here?
• Will I lean on Him instead of myself?
• Will I wait on His timing… or rush ahead on my own?

And I’ll be honest with you—I want His way.

Because I’ve seen what happens when He moves.

Remembering What God Has Already Done

There have been moments in my life where God showed up in ways I could never explain.

Real miracles.

One of the most personal ones was the journey to having our daughter.

After years of waiting… wondering… praying… God fulfilled His promise.

Not just in His timing… but in a way that was more personal than I could have imagined.

That’s what He does.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
— Psalm 37:4 (KJV)

Sometimes we forget what He’s already done… when we’re standing in the middle of what He’s doing right now.

When You’re Tired, Keep Taking the Step

I heard someone explain faith like this once:

It’s like standing at the edge of a cliff and stepping forward when you can’t see where your foot is going to land.

That’s what faith looks like.

That’s where I’ve been lately. Tired. Unsure. Still moving forward. Not because I have it all figured out… but because I trust the One who does.

A Gentle Reminder for You

If you’re in a season where you feel stretched… where things feel uncertain… where you’re wondering how it’s all going to come together…

I want to remind you of this:

God is still writing your story.

You don’t have to see the end to trust the Author.

Just take the next step.

Even if it feels small. Even if it feels shaky.

He will meet you there.

Listen to the Full Episode

If this spoke to you, I’d love for you to listen to the full podcast episode where I share more of this journey and what the Lord has been teaching me in this season.

Let’s Stay Connected

If this encouraged you, share it with a friend who might need it too.

And if you’re looking for more encouragement like this each week, you can join my Stay Rooted email where I send Scripture, real-life encouragement, and reminders to help you stay grounded when life feels overwhelming.

You can also find more encouragement throughout the blog.

And remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are.

When Opposition Redirects Our Focus

God did not ignore what had happened.

In His rebuke, He pointed directly to the result of their choices. They planted much but harvested little. They ate but were never satisfied. They drank but were still thirsty. They clothed themselves but were never warm. And the money they earned seemed to disappear—as if their purses had holes in them. (Haggai 1:6)

That part stopped me in my tracks.

Oh, how I have felt that.

I’ve wondered what I was doing wrong. Why it felt like I was working so hard but never quite seeing the fruit. Why things felt off—spiritually, emotionally, even practically. But Haggai 1:9 brings clarity:

They were busy with their house, not God’s.

Yes, opposition started the slowdown—but instead of returning to God’s work once the fear set in, they poured their energy into themselves. The focus shifted from spiritual obedience to personal comfort. From God’s glory to their own.

Obedience Restarted—And Then Doubt

Once the people heard the rebuke of the Lord, they responded. They recognized their error and began rebuilding the temple as they should have all along.

But obedience did not instantly remove discouragement.

Doubt followed.

The new temple didn’t look like the old one. It wasn’t as grand. It didn’t seem as impressive. Comparison crept in, and with it, disappointment. (Haggai 2:3)

More than once, God spoke words they desperately needed to hear:

“Be strong… My Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.” (Haggai 2:4-5)

That reassurance matters.

God did not deny the opposition. He didn’t pretend the work was easy. Instead, He reminded them that His presence had not left just because the work felt harder.

The Question I’m Asking Myself

This is the part I’m still praying through.

Have I truly shifted my focus?

Am I building God’s Kingdom—or am I pouring my energy into my own house while telling myself “it’s just not the right time”?

I want my life to reflect that I am working on God’s Kingdom—His temple, His work, His people—not my own platform, comfort, or sense of control.

Haggai 2:6 says:

“In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.”

And Haggai 2:9 follows with a promise that makes my heart ache in the best way:

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house.”

Kingdom Minded

This is where the Lord has been dealing with me most personally.

In a season of prayer, when I was wrestling through weariness, discouragement, and questions about fruit, the Lord impressed one phrase on my heart—simple, but weighty:

Kingdom Minded.

Not comfort-minded. Not schedule-minded. Not survival-minded.

Kingdom Minded.

It was a gentle but firm reminder that the call has not changed. The work has not shifted. God is still building His house—and He is still inviting His people to take part in it.

This Is What I’m Ready to See

This—this—is what I want to see.

I don’t want to build my own kingdom. I want to build His house.

I’m tired.

I’m tired of seeing the same things over and over. I’m tired of empty pews. I’m tired of watching people walk in and leave unchanged.

We have felt the presence of God in so many services, and I am deeply grateful for that. But I still ask the hard questions:

Where are we missing it?

Where are we missing bringing souls into God’s house?

Psalm 127:1 keeps ringing in my spirit:

“Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.”

A Pastor’s Wife Perspective

There is so much here, and I know I can’t unpack it all in one post.

God has been incredibly good to me and my family—but I have to ask myself where my focus has truly been. Has it been centered on comfort and survival? Or has it been on the souls that are still in need?

This isn’t your average blog post.

Honestly, it may be meant to encourage me just as much as anyone reading it.

Maybe you aren’t walking through this in your church. Maybe you are. Maybe this resonates because you’re a pastor’s wife. Or maybe you’re simply someone trying to move forward in obedience while facing resistance at every turn.

The Lord began dealing with me about these Scriptures over three months ago. Since then, it feels like opposition has increased—not decreased. Pushback from every direction.

Scriptures I’m Holding Onto

These are verses I’m keeping close—verses we need ready and active in our hearts:

• “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” — Matthew 6:33
• “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God” — Romans 12:2
• “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” — Colossians 3:2
• “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” — Philippians 4:8
• “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” — 2 Timothy 2:15

A Real-Life Reminder to Be Still

At a recent doctor’s appointment, he looked at me and said, “Susan, you need to slow down.”

I nodded politely, but inside I was thinking, Slow down? With what calendar? With what margin?

Still, his words stayed with me.

And not just his words, but it’s something the Lord has been dealing with me about during this time of perimenopause. I feel like I’m very aware of what’s going on with my body—even if I don’t completely understand it. I did all the research over the last few years trying to prepare myself for what is to come. My situation has been a little different with PCOS and Endometriosis (something many doctors still do not understand to this day). So to sit and be still just didn’t feel right. But I have known—and I think the Lord has pushed me to know—that it is necessary.

That reminder stirred something deeper in me, sending me back to a verse I’ve heard a thousand times—a verse that echoed the same message God has been whispering all along:

"Be still and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10

It didn’t feel like a suggestion. It felt like an invitation.

To stop.
To breathe.
To remember Who holds it all together (hint: it’s not me).

I’ve been learning to listen to that invitation. Not just spiritually—but practically. I’ve started finding little ways to pause the noise and rest my mind:

• Sitting on the floor to play with my son—even when I have a million things to do.
• Soaking my feet in that little foot spa I bought and actually letting myself enjoy it.
• Sipping a hot cup of tea before the day takes off like a freight train.
• Letting my husband take over for a bit when I feel like I’ve hit a wall.

None of it’s fancy. None of it’s perfect. But it’s intentional.

And that’s the point.

What “Be Still” Really Means

When we hear “Be still and know that I am God,” it’s easy to think it means to simply pause and trust. And while that’s part of it, the Hebrew behind “be still” (raphah) actually means to let go, to release your grip, to stop striving.

It’s not passive—it’s active surrender.

It’s me unclenching my hands, loosening my shoulders, and saying, “Okay, God. I’m not holding this together—you are.”

That changes how I sit with this verse. It means I don’t just sit still—I surrender. I let go of the need to be perfect. I let go of my jam-packed schedule. I let go of the guilt for needing rest. And I make space to know—really know—that He is God and I am not.

Why Learning to Be Still Matters

If you’ve been feeling overstimulated, stretched thin, or emotionally drained—can I encourage you?

You’re allowed to pause.
You’re allowed to breathe.
You’re allowed to rest.

And not because everything is done. Not because your world is perfectly in order. But because God didn’t ask you to carry it all. He asked you to trust Him.

Sometimes trusting Him looks like moving forward in faith.
Other times? It looks like sitting down and letting Him carry you.

You don’t have to earn rest.
You don’t have to justify it.
You just have to say yes to the invitation.

Be still. Breathe. He’s already working.

Want More Encouragement?

If this post spoke to you today, you can listen to the full podcast episode here:
 Episode 7: Be Still & Breathe

And if you’d like weekly encouragement in your inbox (the kind that doesn’t overwhelm or guilt-trip you), join the Stay Rooted email group:
 Subscribe at makinmacon.com/stayrooted

You’re not alone in this, friend.
And even on the days when it feels like too much—

God is still enough.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are.

Opposites in Marriage

I married a man who thrives on spontaneity, while I thrive on plans. He likes to decide as we go; I like to map it out ahead of time. His way can throw me for a loop, but it’s good for me—it keeps me from becoming too stiff. In turn, my structure has helped him too. We’ve grown from learning each other’s ways, and our kids have taught us both to stretch in new directions.

However, when God changes the rhythm? That’s a whole different adjustment.

Prefer to listen? You can hear this encouragement here:

A Swift Move That Changed Everything

Several years ago, after almost seven years of marriage, I was in prayer when I heard the Lord say, “Your move will be swift.” Naturally, I brushed it off. I loved our quiet little life out in the sticks, near family. Moving wasn’t in my plans.

Meanwhile, my husband and I had been praying to be used more in ministry, and we were happily serving as Youth Pastors at the church I grew up in.

Then one day, while visiting friends in Colorado, our car overheated climbing a mountain. We pulled over, and the phone rang. On the other end was someone asking if we’d consider pastoring a home missions church in Texas.

Texas?! No jobs, no house, no plan—just hotter weather and a whole lot of unknowns. Nevertheless, God confirmed it through prayer, a dream, and even the quick sale of our home after months with no offers.

Within a week, we were packing everything into storage and a trailer, moving toward something we couldn’t fully see but knew God had called us to.

Talk about having your rhythm completely upended.

5 Powerful Reminders for When Your Rhythm Feels Off

When your rhythm is disrupted, it’s easy to lose focus and let worry take over. These five reminders have anchored me in seasons when everything felt uncertain, and I hope they will do the same for you:

1. Find a Place to Pray – First, make space to talk with God honestly about your fears, frustrations, and hopes. Prayer shifts your perspective and aligns your heart with His.
2. Ask God to Cleanse Your Heart and Bring Peace – Next, when your mind feels cluttered, ask Him to wash away anxious thoughts and replace them with His calm.
3. Get into His Word – Then, let Scripture steady you when everything else feels shaky. Even a single verse can keep you grounded in truth.
4. Fast – Sometimes we need to quiet our bodies to hear God more clearly. As a result, fasting removes distractions and makes space for His voice.
5. Take One Small Step – Finally, remember you don’t have to fix everything at once. Just start where you are and trust Him with the next step.

Learning from Joseph’s Rhythm Shifts

I think of Joseph. His rhythm shifted over and over—from living with family, to slavery, to serving in Pharaoh’s home, to prison, and finally to a position where he saved his family and a nation.

When God moved us to Texas, I couldn’t see the full picture any more than Joseph could when he was in prison. All I knew was that my rhythm was gone, and I was stepping into the unknown. But just like Joseph’s obedience positioned him to save a nation, our obedience opened doors in ministry we never could have imagined. In other words, what felt like a complete disruption was actually God setting the stage for something greater.

Genesis 50:20 says, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

Joseph’s story—and our own—remind me that God’s hand is at work even when the rhythm feels chaotic. Trusting Him in those moments allows us to see the beauty of His plan when the pieces finally come together.

Walking Forward in His Rhythm

If your rhythm feels off right now, take heart—God has not lost track of you or your story. The beat may sound unfamiliar, but He is still the One leading the song. Therefore, trust the process, lean in to His timing, and allow Him to guide your steps one measure at a time.

If this post encouraged you, I’d love for you to join my Stay Rooted email community. When you sign up, you’ll get my 5-Day Devotional for Women Who Do It All as a gift—a simple way to pause, reset, and reconnect with God’s peace each day. You’ll also receive mid-week encouragement in your inbox every week to help you stay grounded in truth and hope.

Click here to join Stay Rooted and get your devotional.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are.

When Life Shifts Gears Spiritually

I’ve been thinking about water lately. Still water—untouched, unmoved—grows murky. It collects debris, turns green, and eventually breeds algae. Why? Because it lacks movement.

I don’t want my spirit to stagnate like that. I don’t want to become still in the places where God is asking me to keep moving. Even when the days are full, the to-do list is long, or the unexpected hits (like a sick kid, a ministry opportunity, or a last-minute detour), I want to stay in motion with Him.

Because movement—when led by the Lord—brings life.

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”
—Isaiah 43:18–19 (NIV)

When the Gears Don’t Shift Smoothly

If you’ve ever driven a stick shift (hello, my little 5-speed!), you know that staying in first gear will only get you so far. If you don’t shift, you’ll stall—or worse, blow the engine. But shifting gears isn’t always smooth. Sometimes you grind a little. Sometimes you lurch.

Sometimes you cry in the parking lot of your local grocery store because the day’s been too much and your dinner’s still frozen. (Not that I’m speaking from experience or anything…)

But here’s the truth: growth comes in the shifting. God doesn’t just call us to sit safely in neutral. He invites us to move—to trust Him in the transitions, to follow Him into new seasons.

“To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”
—Ecclesiastes 3:1 (KJV)

Answering the Call When Life Shifts Gears

This shifting isn’t just practical—it’s spiritual. I feel it in our church. In the atmosphere. We’re on the verge of revival, and it’s not just something we’re waiting for—it’s something we’re being prepared for.

There are people hurting all around us. And as followers of Christ, we can’t afford to stay comfortable. We’re called to carry the gospel—not keep it to ourselves.

Have you talked to your neighbor lately? Or the cashier at the grocery store? That teenage clerk at the gas station? These everyday interactions might just be holy ground.

We don’t have time to be stagnant. The world needs believers who are willing to shift gears—willing to step out, speak up, and serve where it matters.

“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
—Mark 16:15 (KJV)

Finding Grace When Life Shifts Gears

Maybe you’re in a shifting season, too. Maybe you’re starting something new, or letting go of something that’s ended. Maybe you’re in between gears and it feels a little bumpy.

I want you to know—it’s okay to wobble. To feel unsure. To not have it all mapped out.

Because God does. And He gives grace for the gear shift.

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”
—2 Corinthians 12:9 (NIV)

Before You Go…

If you’re feeling the shift—physically, emotionally, spiritually—I’m right there with you. Let’s walk this new season together with grace, grit, and faith.

Whether you’re getting ready for a new homeschool year, diving into a new job, stepping into ministry, or just trying to make it through August—I pray you feel the hand of God guiding your every step.

Let’s keep moving. Let’s keep shifting. Let’s stay surrendered to the One who knows the road ahead.

Remember, I’m always praying for you, even if I don’t know who you are!

 Want more encouragement for the journey?
Check out my 5-Day Devotional for Women Who Do It All or sign up for weekly encouragement straight to your inbox.

Join the conversation: What season are you shifting into right now? I’d love to hear in the comments below.