Tunes That Touch You

If you are like many kids, you're happiest when your MP3 player is plugged into your ears and you're tuned into your music. It's no wonder. Music is  powerful form of media. It's a tool that people—especially kids—use to identify with other people, define themselves, express their emotions, and communicate messages.

Music must be important to God, too. Though we can’t often hear it without special equipment, God has planted music in almost everything—from pulsing rhythms of spinning planets to high-pitched chirps of tiny mice. Yes, scientists have discovered that mice sing love songs to each other! 

In the Bible, music was used to chase away evil spirits (1 Samuel 16:23), usher in the presence of God (2 Chronicles 5:13), and even lead an army to battle (2 Chronicles 20:21)! 

Did you know . . .

Music alters your hormone levels. Some scientists believe that certain kinds of music can reduce or increase your stress hormones—in other words, music can help you relax or stress you out!

Music intensifies your emotions. If you listen to sad music when you already feel sad, your sadness will intensify. If you listen to angry music when you feel angry, your angry feelings will be reinforced. Of course, if you listen to uplifting music when you feel close to God, your positive feelings will intensify as well. 

Music shapes your ideas about the world. This is true even if you’re not consciously thinking about what’s going into your ears. The combination of words and music is powerful, so be careful to choose music that fits your values