Dealing with the news around us
By Charles Christian
I was reading recently that not only do immediate personal issues affect our mood and our health, but the news around us can impact us, as well.
The headlines that we’re bombarded with on the internet, television and in newspapers, even though they may be far away or not related directly to us, can have an impact. Researchers say this is because our brains process information in similar ways, whether we are being directly impacted or are simply observers.
Maybe this can instruct us in a couple of ways.
First, we can pay closer attention to the information we’re ingesting each day. Of course, this doesn’t mean we should become oblivious to the realities of the world. We shouldn’t avoid the news of the day. However, limiting access to what we are consuming to specific times of the day while setting aside others to focus on things like our health and well-being, can provide balance.
The Bible says, “… whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things” (Philippians 4:8). This implies the need for balance and reminds us of the strength that comes when we give equal time to those things that encourage and motivate us.
Second, find ways to do good in the face of negative news. Again, this is not about ignoring the bad news in this world. In fact, it implies just the opposite. Instead of giving the bad things all of our attention and ignoring the news altogether, find ways to make a positive impact around you consistently. If you can make a difference in the lives of those impacted by negative news — refugees, wounded veterans or victims of storms — making a local impact can turn the saturation of bad news into at least a bit of good in the community.
The Bible says, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in your power to act” (Proverbs 3:27).
Sometimes the only good we can do is pray, and that is a powerful thing. Any good deed we seek to do should begin and end in prayer. When the bad news becomes a way to construct a prayer list for our community and our world, we do our part in turning the bad news into good.
