Watch the evening news and what you’re destined for a few minutes via the news feed. It appears to be growing reports of global conflict, natural disasters, political unrest and a continuing list at every turn.
Although not an official clinical diagnosis, many psychologists have begun to use the term “heading stress disorder,” originally coined by psychologist Dr. Stephen Stonsey, describing people who are overwhelmed and stressed by watching and reading the news (1). Headline stress can have a different effect on everyone, but it can often be overwhelming, leading to feelings of helplessness, leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety and lack of peace.
It may be fascinating to simply ignore or exclude ourselves from the reality of the world, but we know that we cannot. There is wisdom in providing information about current events, but taking steps to protect God’s peace and heart when the world feels out of control is equal and more.
Keep your mind and your habits.
“Preserve your heart with all your hard work. – Proverbs 4:23
The mind points towards the heart of one’s life and the direction towards God. It is where we do all of our thoughts, choices, and emotions. For the centrality of our lives, Proverb 4:23 instructs us to “protect our hearts.” To protect, preserve, protect and protect from danger.
If you find yourself increasingly angry, overwhelmed, overwhelmed, overwhelmed after consuming news, or experienced feelings of fear and destiny, it may be a sign that it is time to reevaluate your habits so that you can experience more of God’s peace. Start by taking actionable steps to limit the consumption of news media. Check your news feed and allocate certain amounts of time to view the news.
If this is difficult, consider removing the news app or turning off notifications on your phone. If possible, avoid bringing your smart devices to the dinner table. Keep your books and diaries nearby and place them somewhere else when you want to scroll or turn on TV creeping. Take a walk. Be creative.
Research has shown that there is a relationship between the amount of news we consume and emotional stress. The more you consume, the more you can receive it. Technology is a great tool, but you need to remember that it is designed to keep you engaged and come back for more. By clicking on one article or watching that clip on YouTube, you can easily guide the rabbit hole and pay more time and attention than intended.
Just as we practice dietary restrictions to take care of our physical health, we should do the same in limiting the amount of news we consume to address our mental and emotional health.
The importance of protecting our hearts is an essential practice for our followers and an important contributor to experience God’s peace in our lives. We must make intentional choices to focus more on what is not about the world, but on what is the creator of everything.
If we take steps to protect our homes, our cars, our money, our families and what we think is worth, wouldn’t it be our greatest benefit to do the same for our hearts?
Throw your care mostly.
Instead of letting our newsfeed take away our peace, our followers have a unique opportunity to take what we see in the news and turn it into prayer. We were not intended to burden ourselves, but we intended to trust in God. This is an opportunity to make headlines a catalyst for prayer, rather than the painful and frivolous dismissals we see in the world. By faith we believe in what Jesus taught us in Matthew 6:10. As children of God, we can be sure that the prayers of righteous men are extremely useful.
The Philippians also said, “We will continue to be known to God by petitioning with gratitude and gratitude in all circumstances and circumstances, rather than worrying or worrying.
“In the final analysis, worry is nothing more than a lack of trust.” And worry is an antithesis to peace.
As stated in Colossians 3:15, God’s peace governs your heart, and turn your worries into prayer and worship. It is where we find peace before God.
Remember God’s sovereignty.
God is not the author of evil or confusion, but he allows things to happen according to his greater plans. When we remember that he is sovereign over the universe, it should bring us peace that there is nothing to catch him by surprise. God is not surprised by the latest headline news. He is not in a hurry to fix what we consider out of control.
Psalm 46 offers a great example of this. This reminds us of God’s preparedness, protection and promises.
1 God is our shelter and strength,
There is a lot of trouble.
2 Therefore, we will collapse the earth, but we will not be afraid,
The mountains are moved to the centre of the sea,
3The water has roaring and bubbles,
The mountain is shaking with the swelling. Serra
4 There is a river where the stream rejoices in the city of God,
The sacred residence of the highest.
5 God is in her midst. She is not moved.
God will help her when the morning dawn comes.
The anger of the six nations, the kingdom staggers.
He speaks and the earth melts.
7 The Lord of the Host is with us.
The God of Jacob is our fortress. Serra
8 Come and see the Lord’s work,
The way he brought devastation on the planet.
9 He will stop the war to the edge of the earth.
He breaks the bow and crushes the spear.
He burns the tanks with fire.
10: “Stay still and know that I am God.
I am praised among the countries,
I’m praised on Earth! ”
The 11 Hosts are with us.
The God of Jacob is our fortress.
Stay still and know that He is God. This reminder in verse 10 is often the most cited, and has a direct correlation to encountering God’s peace.
However, to understand the beauty of poetry, one must look at the full context. The people of Jerusalem were attacked by the Assyrian army and faced fear and uncertainty. But the psalmist reminds them and us that even when the nation is angry and the mountains are shaking, our God remains in steady and in control. God is our fortress from our greatest fear (2). He is the current help in times of trouble. It reminds us of his sovereignty and locks our hearts in his unwavering peace.
Focus on today.
“Therefore, don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Every day has enough problems in itself.” – Matthew 6:34
Many of the things that cause our anxiety when we watch the news are unknown fears. There are issues that are out of our control. And we don’t know the outcome, but we can trust those who do. Our focus ultimately takes up the most space in our minds. We shift our focus from what we see and instead choose to be present in the moment, thanking God for His faithfulness. “…Thinking about what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and praiseworthy. (Philippians 4:8 NLT). As Jesus said, “Who, by worry, can you add a single qubit to his life?” (Matthew 6:27) Not one. So let’s choose to put trust in him. Then let him experience the full eternal peace.
(1) Headline management stress and news anxiety | Charlie Health. https://www.charliehealth.com/post/managing-headline-stress
(2) J. Josh Smith and Daniel L. Akin, Elevating Jesus in Poems sal 1–50, Edited by David Pratt, Daniel L. Akin, Tony Merida, Christ-centered Expo Commentary (Nashville, Tennessee: Reference Holman, 2022), 321.
Photo Credit: ©istock/getty Images Plus/Jacoblund
Lekisha Maldon is a speaker, biblical teacher and counselor, and is deeply passionate about inspiring and empowering women to guide a transformed life through the power of Christ. She wrote “Pages from My Heart: A Devotional for Women” and curated a five-day plan titled “From Fore To Wornding” on the Yourversion Bible app. Her writing has been featured in publications such as Vinewords Devotions & More, Iridecent Women and Revell Books. Lekeisha has hosted several Women’s Ministry events and is a guest speaker for various organizations such as the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship Campus Ministries, leading domestic and international mission trips. Outside of her ministry efforts, she is an experienced IT business consultant with nearly 20 years of experience. She holds a degree in business management and a Masters in Arts in idyllic counseling. She is married to her best friend Charles and is a proud mother of a beautiful baby girl. For more information, visit her website WalkThenArrowway.com or connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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