Silencing the Whispers
By Kateb Nuri-Alim Shunnar
Whispers carry a strange power. They slip through the cracks of our thoughts, subtle yet insistent, drawing us toward decisions we often regret. Some whispers build us up, while others tear us apart. They soothe and calm, or they stir chaos in our hearts. But it’s those whispers of doubt, ego, and bad counsel—the ones we know deep down are not rooted in wisdom that can lead us down roads we were never meant to walk.
The Creator, in boundless grace, warns us about these harmful murmurs. "Seek refuge in the Creator from the whispers of negativity that infiltrate human hearts," we are taught. And oh, how often I’ve had to remind myself of this. Asking for refuge isn’t weakness it’s wisdom. It’s saying, I can’t quiet these whispers on my own, but I know who can. Holding onto the Creator’s hand has been my anchor, a way to silence the noise that threatens to drown my peace.
So often, I find myself praying, “Creator, deliver me from the whispers. Wrap me in Your bosom and shield me.” This prayer is a cry from my heart, asking to be enveloped by divine love and protected from the unseen forces that pull me away. It is in the Creator’s embrace that I find the strength to discern truth from lies, peace from turmoil, and clarity from confusion.
Negativity is sly; it wears a cloak of concern or even reality. It whispers, "You’re not good enough," "You’re going to fail," or "What’s the point of trying?" I’ve been there frozen by those thoughts, forgetting that the Creator handcrafted me with intention. When I gave those whispers attention, I was choosing to believe lies over divine truth. Looking back, I see how damaging that was.
I’d like to say I’ve always recognized negativity for what it is, but the truth is, I’ve given in. I’ve listened to whispers that fed my doubt, amplified my fears, and told me lies about people I loved. I’ve followed whispers that said, “They deserve it; just live your life.” I convinced myself I was doing what was best, but oh, how wrong I was. I should’ve turned to the Creator, but instead, I let those whispers guide me and I learned the hard way. Those moments are now etched in my memory, teaching me never to trust anything that doesn’t align with the Creator’s truth.
Gossip how it lures us in with its false sense of belonging! Whispered words about someone else’s failures or flaws create a bond of temporary connection, but it’s hollow. Gossip tears down what the Creator builds up community, trust, and kindness. I regret every time I chose to gossip instead of remaining silent. Those moments felt light in the moment but left heavy weights of guilt in my chest afterward.
And then there’s ego, a loud and cunning whisper pretending to be my best advocate. Ego whispers things like, “Don’t let them disrespect you,” or, “You’re better than that.” It pushes us to respond when silence would’ve served better or to defend our pride when humility was the real strength. I’ve learned the hard way that ego’s promises of validation are hollow. It wins petty arguments but robs you of peace. Every time I’ve followed those whispers, I ended up further from who I wanted to be.
But let me be honest it’s not just the whispers within. Sometimes the most misleading voices come from outside. Well-meaning friends, family, or colleagues who don’t mean harm but lack the wisdom to guide you rightly. I’ve listened to bad advice too many times, following lines like, “Everyone’s doing it; what’s the harm?” or, “You deserve this; don’t let anyone take it from you.” Worse still, I have let the counsel of close friends lead me astray simply because they were connected to the Creator. Their advice felt comforting, but it was often emotional and based on their own imagination of what they thought they would do in my situation but wouldn’t actually do themselves. In the end, following their misguided counsel only distanced me further from the Creator. I lost not only opportunities for growth but also the clarity and peace that come from staying aligned with divine truth.
Each time I gave in to these whispers whether they came from within or others it cost me dearly. The peace I craved remained elusive, replaced instead with regret, frustration, and a disconnection from the Creator. It took me too long to realize that not all voices deserve my attention, and the loudest ones are often the most hollow.
But there was a momenta breaking point when I finally had enough. Exhausted and burdened by the weight of bad decisions, I turned back to the one voice I should’ve trusted all along. I fell to my knees and cried out, “Creator, deliver me from the whispers. Wrap me in Your bosom and shield me. Let Your voice be the loudest, and guide me back to You.” And in that stillness, a new kind of whisper reached me a soft, steady voice that said, “Be still, and know I am here.”
That moment was like a balm for my soul. It reminded me that no matter how far I’d strayed, the Creator was always there, waiting for me to return. From then on, I chose to fight back against the whispers that once controlled me. Prayer became my shield, meditation my refuge, and divine wisdom my guide. Slowly but surely, I began to rebuild what the whispers had tried to tear down.
Now, I want to ask you something: what whispers are you listening to? Are they pulling you closer to truth, or dragging you into doubt, fear, and division? Guard your heart and your mind. Surround yourself with people who speak life, not gossip. Seek advice from those who walk closely with the Creator, not from voices that echo the noise of the world.
When you falter and you will, because we all do remember that the Creator’s voice is never far. It’s there, ready to guide you back to a path of peace and clarity. The whispers may persist, but they are powerless in the face of divine truth. Let your heart become a sanctuary where only the voice of love, wisdom, and hope is allowed to dwell.
The battle against whispers isn’t easy, but it’s worth it. Every time you choose to silence them and turn toward the Creator, you reclaim your peace, your purpose, and your connection to the divine. So, tune your ears to the whispers that matter the ones that lift you up, remind you of your worth, and bring you closer to your Creator.
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