I’ve been deliberately using music to block ThE VoIcEs for over a year now. Initially, it was only with secular songs. Last fall, I regularly began playing hymns. It’s nice going to church and being familiar with some of the words & music, although I still follow the hymnal.
When I got thrown in jail twice (without headphones!) over the past week, I had a go-to ditty to shut-out the devil. My current favorite is, “Blest Be the Lord,” (…the G-d of mercy, the G-d who saves! I shall not fear the dark of night, nor the arrow that flies by day!) It’s based on Psalm 91. I just play that on repeat in my head, and it overrides any stinky, unwelcome (demonic?) signals.
Especially for Lent, I’ve been focusing on putting G-d first. One way I’ve started doing that is by playing hymns first thing in the morning. I’ve also shifted my daily almsgiving & prayer in Lower Manhattan to occur before I ride out to Long Island for Todaisy. (Except Sundays, when I attend mass before Todaisy.) This is my playlist of choice.
At first, I’d just let it play in sequence, but now, I prefer putting it on shuffle. For some reason, I suspect that repeatedly playing songs in the same order gives the devil a foothold. It tricks us into thinking we can “see the future,” because our brain gets in the habit of knowing which song will play next. (Only G-d can know the future. If anyone tries to convince you they can “will” anything into happening, that person is attempting to pollute your thoughts with sin. Hashtag Luke 23:34.)
Update: I now consider myself more self-aware and spiritually resolute than ever before. Before I became born again, I was only concerned with the way others perceived me as an extension of vanity/convenience or to dodge judgment. Now, it’s all about delighting G-d. (Psalm 18:19) That being said, my “paranoid/schizophrenic” (mmhmm.) brain is still tuned to detect potential sources of undue criticism from those who would cast judgment. For example, I glanced at the album art in the notification bar of the above screenshot. It kinda looks like it could be human skin…“¡Grant is watching pornography!” they’ll shout. No, it’s actually an innocent – but powerful – loaf of bread:
Remember, friends: it’s only paranoia if it’s not really happening to you.
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