Gina Colburn

The Weight of a Loud World

Last week, the whole world seemed heavy—outside and inside.
The weight of global events, compounded by the happenings in my own life, felt like a cloak of despair wrapped so tightly I could hardly stand.

And yet, I kept putting one foot in front of the other.

With little to no sleep, I wrestled with the images burned into my mind—watching two people murdered in real time through a social media app. The anguish has lingered, seeping into my waking hours and shadowing the nights.

This Monday morning, the heaviness still hangs on, but now it’s coupled with something else: the noise.

The world is loud.
Everything seems to be screaming for our attention—urging us to pick a side, shout louder, and plant our convictions more boldly. I just want to silence it all. Maybe you can relate.

The Overload of Noise

I’ve been looking inward to process and plan, and upward for clarity and conviction. But even there, the noise presses in.

How can we, as individuals, ever find the quietness necessary to process the relentless stream of information? Each hour brings a new tragedy. Each tragedy brings commentary layered on commentary. With every scroll, post, and reel, the heaviness grows louder.

Today, I made a decision: to stop the noise—if only in my own head and heart.
I deleted apps that no longer bring joy, peace, or even value. I clicked unfollow. I pressed delete.

This isn’t putting my head in the sand. I am fully aware of what’s happening in the world around me:

That someone’s child carried a gun into a school, killing innocent children and scarred countless lives.

That an 11-year-old boy, just playing ding-dong ditch, was shot and killed—a tragedy that struck me deeply as I remembered my own boys once playing the same harmless game.

That a young girl, riding public transportation like my own daughter does daily, was murdered while others watched in silence.

That senators in their own homes were gunned down.

That a young political figure, imperfect but professing faith in Jesus, was shot in front of hundreds and replayed for millions.

I am painfully aware. Families are shattered everywhere.

And yet, through it all, the loudest voices keep chanting us versus them.

Choosing Silence

So today I chose a different way.
I choose to quiet the noise where I can.
To unfollow what stirs more division than healing.
To delete what doesn’t serve peace, joy, or clarity.

This doesn’t mean I don’t care. It means I care deeply enough to make space to truly process, to pray, and to keep walking without being drowned by the screaming of the world.

Maybe you need that, too.

✨ Friend, if the noise has grown too loud for you, I invite you to take one small step toward silence today. Close an app. Step outside. Breathe. Whisper a prayer. Let quiet in.

“Be still, and know that I am God.” — Psalm 46:10

Matthew 1:23 NLT
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

Christmas hits a bit differently this year, even so Jesus, Immanuel has been with us.

My goal this Christmas was to give my family one of the best. It's been tough in so many ways and I wanted us to end the year with a few days of celebration and fun.

As we were simply attenders/worshippers at the Christmas Eve service ( a first for us) I was overwhelmed with Immanuel, God with us. While at times it has seemed he gave up or abandoned our circumstances I know he did not.

And while this Christmas week maybe wasn't a Hallmark movie ( snow did not fall when Jason kissed me under the mistletoe) it was full of laughs, tears, worship, hugs and more food than anyone should eat. New memories were made and joy was found.

May I never lose my wonder of Jesus, Immanuel, who came to give me life. The one who never gives up on me or my family. May I carry the peace, joy, love and hope with me all year.

From my family to yours Merry Christmas, and may you experience Jesus in your life and home!

Fun little tree I got to decorate where I work!

How do you bring holiday cheer in the places you work?