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Sound engineers know that the quality of a message depends on one key factor: the signal-to-noise ratio. Too much noise, and the message gets lost. But this principle applies far beyond electronics. Discover how SNR affects you more than you might think.

In the world of electronics and wireless communications, there’s a concept known as Signal-to-Noise Ratio, or SNR for short. It measures how much of the desired signal is being received compared to the background noise. Technically, it’s the ratio between the strength of the useful information (the “signal”) and the interference that makes it hard to hear (the “noise”). The higher the SNR, the clearer the signal comes through.

For example, when you’re listening to a radio broadcast, the music or speech you want to hear is the signal. But static, buzzing, or interference from other sources is the noise. If the noise is louder than the signal, you can’t make out the words or melody. The message gets lost in the mess. But when the signal is strong and the noise is minimal, you hear clearly and effortlessly.

Likewise with our cell phones. A high signal to noise ratio gives us a clear call. A high noise to signal ratio leaves us saying, “Can you hear me now.?”

This same principle applies to more than just technology. It applies to our spiritual life.

God is always speaking. He speaks through Scripture. He speaks through creation. He speaks in the quiet of our hearts, and sometimes even in the voice of a friend or a moment of stillness. His signal is steady, but the problem is—we often can’t hear Him clearly. Why? Because the noise in our lives drowns Him out.

Instead of having a high signal-to-noise ratio, many of us are living with a high noise-to-signal ratio.

The voices of social media, political division, consumerism, entertainment, fear, anxiety, past wounds, constant busyness, and the never-ending to-do list—they all compete for our attention. These things create so much background noise that God’s voice becomes barely audible. He’s there. He’s speaking. But His message is muffled.

Jesus said in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” But the ability to hear requires quiet. It requires tuning in. It requires stillness. And it requires us to turn down the volume on the world so we can turn up the signal of the Lord.

Each of us should ask ourselves honestly: What’s the noise in my life right now? What’s keeping me from hearing God’s voice clearly?

• Is it endless scrolling on my phone?
• Is it constantly comparing myself to others?
• Is it worry about money, politics, or relationships?
• Is it shame, regret, or unresolved sins from my past?
• Is there an addiction clamoring for my free time?

These are the things that cloud the line and blur the message. And just like with a fuzzy radio station or a glitchy cell phone call, the more noise we allow in, the more frustrated we become when we don’t understand the message God is trying to give us.

It’s not that God is silent. It’s that we’ve tuned our ears to the wrong frequency.

Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still and know that I am God.” Stillness doesn’t mean inactivity. It means intentionally quieting the distractions so we can tune our hearts toward the divine frequency.

Try this: carve out ten minutes today to sit in silence with God. No music. No podcasts. No background TV. Just you and Him. Breathe. Listen. Let the signal come through.

Remember: the spiritual life isn’t about yelling louder to reach God—it’s about listening more attentively so we can receive what He’s already saying. A better signal-to-noise ratio isn’t achieved by increasing God’s volume; it’s achieved by decreasing the world’s.

So, let’s ask ourselves these difficult questions:

• What’s the noise in my life?
• What do I need to turn off so I can finally tune in?

The clarity we long for is just on the other side of stillness. We simply need to adjust the ratio. God is speaking—loud and clear.

Are we listening?

Heavenly Father, I come before You with an open heart, desiring to hear Your voice more clearly in my life. You are the Good Shepherd, and I long to know Your will and follow Your path. Grant me the grace to quiet my mind and heart, to set aside distractions, and to truly listen for Your gentle whispers. Amen!

AMDG 

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Brian Pusateri

Brian is a Christian author and speaker. Brian, a lifelong Catholic, felt his life was forever changed when God spoke to his heart while attending an eight day silent Christian retreat in November of 2011. Soon after that retreat Brian founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. With the God inspired message of mercy and unconditional love that was placed on his heart during that retreat, Brian has been impacting others all over the country and around the world with his weekly letters, his talks, and his all day Christian retreats. In June of 2014, Brian’s life was again impacted in a very dramatic way when his eyesight suddenly became permanently impaired. The initial diagnosis was Multiple Scleroses (MS) but in December of 2019 the diagnosis was corrected to MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological disease. This health challenge has only served to draw Brian closer to God and bolster the importance of this timely yet ageless message.

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