How to Stop News Headlines from Overwhelming Us

Last updated on: October 8, 2024 at 4:10 pm by Michele Howe

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How to Stop News Headlines from Overwhelming Us 2024-10-08T16:10:45-05:00 Michele Howe

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Peace is Possible

Hear me, Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God; have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you. You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy. When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame.

Psalm 86: 1-7, 16, 17

Realize God gives you strength one day at a time. He gives you what you need when you need it. He doesn’t encumber you with excess baggage. God gives us His grace in the hour we need it. If we worry about the future now, we double our pain without having the grace to deal with it.

John MacArthur

In the current state of nation, we are bombarded with headlines of disaster (both the natural and political kind). These constant in-our-face declarations that life as we know it will soon be a thing of the past can be scary. Of course, we should not believe everything we hear, see, or read. We need to develop a keen sense of critical thinking. This specific type of critical thinking isn’t what most folks think it is.

Thinking Critically Is A Good Skill

The kind of thinking critically I’m talking about here is the kind that thinks through issues and statements and declarations before reacting or responding (in fear or anger or anxiety). Indeed, what the world needs right now are more individuals who stop, listen, then take time to do their own research, read trusted sources, and determine to not react to these highly emotional, highly-charged news reels.

We Need Our Confidence To Be In God Alone

What each of needs most, however, isn’t just the ability to wisely decipher truth from lies as it comes from the media. No, what we need is to find our rock-solid assurance and confidence in God’s promises to each of us. We would all do well to memorize and then daily (hourly?) meditate on these passages found in Psalm 86. As we spend time contemplating these tender and true promises from our good heavenly Father, we will find ourselves calmer, at peace, and not so vulnerable to the next frenzied media attack.

We Can Combat Fear And Worry

How might today be different for you and me if we took the time and made the effort to dig deeper into God’s good Word to seek his counsel on life (in the small and worldwide)? Would we react differently to the doom-and-gloom reports? Would we be more able to combat the hopelessness so many are now victims of?

Think about what John MacArthur so wisely stated, “God gives us His grace in the hour we need it. If we worry about the future now, we double our pain without having the grace to deal with it.” On most days, I don’t have the emotional energy to handle the news screaming at me about worldwide destruction and mass chaos. I am one person who is doing what she can to make the lives of those around me a safer, more grace-filled space. How about you?

General Christian

Family, Parenting and Religion

About Michele Howe

Michele Howe is the author of 29 books for women, children, and families. She has published over 3000 articles, reviews, and curriculum and has been featured on Focus on the Family and other national television and radio programs. Her newest book, The Humble Life, guides readers to living as Jesus did through his everyday acts of service and love. You can read more about the author here.

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