Last week I was driving with the kids and Susie started fussing so I turned up the radio. The song that assailed my ears was totally inappropriate. I didn't realize it, but I had been slowly getting fed up with media and that song was the last straw. I turned the radio off, irritated that the general public embraces such content as okay, but also angry at myself for not having the patience or strength to listen to a tiny bit of whining, and instead of calling on God for that strength, seeking immediate relief in something that glorifies Satan, not God. When Ty came home that evening he went to turn on the TV after dinner and said, "What's wrong with the TV?" I said, "It's unplugged." and smiled sweetly. He said, "...why?" I said, "We are having a no-media week." Amazingly, he just said, "Okay" and he was the one who held me to it when I wanted to cheat later on in the week, and decided to keep it up after the week was over!
We ended up cutting out TV/movies completely, any music with words (including talk radio) and internet surfing that first week. Now we are okay with movies for date night or family movie nights, and I do read my blogs again, but still don't do any surfing or social sites. Since making the change, I have felt so much more peace, had more patience and gotten so much done, since I am not distracted by the TV going all day, or the radio interrupting my own thoughts in the car. I also lost 4 pounds during the first week, by only making this change! We decided to keep it going - we are now on week two, and aren't feeling like we are missing out at all.
It was interesting, for the first few days I would get those old songs stuck in my head out of nowhere. But now, feeling this peace, I keep thinking about 2 Corinthians 10:4 & 5, "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."
I highly recommend going media-free for a week, or even a day. It puts things in perspective, and lets you focus on the things that really matter.
As Pat's business has been slow, we recently decided to cancel our cable to save some money. At first we thought that we would miss it...not anymore! We borrow movies from the library to watch and during the day I have classical music softly playing in the background. We have found that it is more peaceful not having all the bad news and commercials coming in the home everyday! :)
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
~Nadine
I do the classical music, too. And, actually Ty was all for cancelling our Netflix and basic cable, and I was hesitating... you just gave me the encouragement I needed - I have not missed it yet, I am going to cancel! And save $30/month! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a help in keeping your mind clean. Music is full of innuendos, and TV promotes a distorted view of the way a woman is expected to look.
ReplyDeleteThe weight loss thing is crazy! How did that happen? Good blog post!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I think the weight loss was because I have so many projects half done, and between the kids and the TV in the background distracting me, I would feel stressed that I couldn't get anything done and just snack out of boredom and stress. Cutting out the TV freed up so much potential for concentration that I bustle around getting more done and eating less... does that make any sense?
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