We typically listen to our hearts but usually don’t take the time to listen to our brains. Not the ear-splitting warning bells, but instead, the gentle nudges. A ring in one’s ear. A strange smell, or the lack of it. Bizarre or horrific dreams. Mood or memory changes. These might seem harmless at first glance and could so often be written off as “just stress” or “just age.” But what if these quiet whispers are actually the brain trying to tell us something important, and we really need to take the time to listen and respond?
As Christians, we know that God made our bodies wonderfully and fearfully (Psalm 139:14) and that He has blessed us with intuition. Sometimes, the Holy Spirit will prompt us to look behind the curtain. When something doesn’t feel right, we shouldn’t turn a blind eye. Here are a few subtle cues your brain may be sending you and why you shouldn’t ignore them.
1. Listen Carefully When Sounds Change
- One of the first warning signs that something might be going on neurologically is with your hearing. This signal is NOT that you are losing your hearing, but you might hear noises or sounds in a different way so that they may be distorted. Sounds that you have heard all of your life may now seem uniquely distorted, similar to an echo, instead of a clear tone.
- Phantom clicking, dripping, or humming sounds occur, particularly at night.
- Tinnitus (a steady ringing in the ears) becomes your constant and unwelcome companion.
These symptoms aren’t necessarily painful, but they may be an indication of something more going on. Your nervous system, by way of the brain, may be stressed. Remember that whether it is bad news or good, it is better to get it checked out since these small symptoms and messages from your brain, can be telling you much more.
2. The Silent Nose
Have you ever suddenly realized that you can’t smell your coffee in the morning anymore and then possibly passed it off as your nose is stopped up from a cold or allergies?
- Loss of smell can creep up on you and go unnoticed for months.
- You suddenly can’t detect smoke, rotting food, or perfume. This may seem to be a small thing, but it can be dangerous, especially with the inability to smell smoke or spoiled food.
- It may feel like nothing… until you notice something is gone.
At times, particularly when combined with other symptoms, this may indicate shifts in the neurological system. Have faith in your senses. They were provided for you for a purpose.
3. When Sleep Becomes Bizarre
Sleep is meant to rest us, but what if sleep becomes stressful?
- You have terrifying, vivid dreams that persist.
- You sleep lightly or wake up heavy and fatigued.
- You sleep more but don’t feel as refreshed.
Sometimes, the mind’s disturbance is evident when we’re sleeping. Nightmares, fatigue, or disturbance during rest can be a signal that there’s something deeper that needs to be worked on.
4. Your Mood Feels… Not Like You
Mood changes in how you feel or behave shouldn’t be ignored, even if they are slight.
- You become increasingly short-tempered, isolated, or hyper-emotional.
- Things you once enjoyed seem impossible to do.
- You struggle with memory, making decisions, or simple words.
These emotional and mental changes may be hard to recognize, but they’re there. Brain and soul go hand in hand. Don’t be ashamed to bring this up to a physician, or to ask a friend to pray with you about it.
5. That Feeling You Can’t Quite Put Your Finger On
Occasionally, the symptoms don’t fall into a neat category. You just know something doesn’t feel right.
- You feel foggy, lethargic, or like you’re not quite yourself.
- You lose interest in little things, like going out to the mailbox to collect the mail.
- Something inside of you says, “This isn’t normal.”
Don’t ignore that voice. God has given you discernment. He doesn’t always speak in loud thunder; He speaks in whispers, too.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, the body whimpers long before it screams. That little push, that deviation from routine, that feeling of something is off; these are not accidents. They’re requests, or even urges, to pause, to reflect, and to pursue wisdom.
James 1:5 encourages us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” (NIV)
Your body is holy. Your mind is valuable. And your life is precious. So the next time your brain whispers, listen. If this post helped you view the little signs differently, you’ll adore In God’s Hands by Betty A. Giguere. It’s a true account of a woman who heard those gentle whispers, listened to her faith, and healed in the most unexpected way. It’s a reminder and a warning that God is with us in all the symptoms, all the scans, and all the not-knowing. Don’t wait for the THUNDER. Hear the whisper. Read the book today.
