Drown it out

Many people go through life trying to ignore it. They plug in their iPods, turn on the TV, indulge in drugs and addictions, and drown it all out. As soon as they're faced with an uncomfortable train of thought or a painful situation, they avoid it by means of distraction. And so they live their lives, not really living at all, but constantly running away from a reality they're afraid to deal with.

Hosea 7:9-11,14 elaborates:

Foreigners sap his strength, but he does not realize it.

His hair is sprinkled with gray, but he does not notice.

Israel's arrogance testifies against him, but despite all this

he does not return to the Lord his God or search for him.

Ephraim is like a dove, easily deceived and senseless-

now calling to Egypt, now turning to Assyria.

They do not cry out to me from their hearts

but wail upon their beds.

They gather together for grain and new wine

but turn away from me.

This passage talks about a group of people who are in a tough situation but who aren't dealing with it in a healthy, effective manner, which is to "cry out to the Lord from their hearts," verse 14. To people like this, Paul writes:

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11)