Fighting the Fear Du Jour

By Eowyn @DrEowyn

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is youra life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”
– Colossians 3:1-4

Your mind has been hijacked!

If you are like me, there is a good chance that your attention will be grabbed early in the day by one or another piece of horrible news. It could come through the radio, or TV, or email, or internet, or a conversation at home or at work. There is no shortage of alarming stories.

Once some of these stories get bouncing around in your mind, it becomes really hard to stay above the storm. It can reduce your creative thinking power dramatically. It can sour your interactions with those around you. We can easily lose a day investigating a terrifying news story.

In St. Paul’s letter to the Colossians, chapter 3, we find a remedy.

We are told to set our hearts on things above. Instead of going over and over about something dark, we are to set our minds on things that are good. In other words, dump the fear, and focus on your work, or do an act of kindness, or tend a garden, or learn a new skill, and of course, take time in the Bible and prayer to give thanks and praise to God and intercede for others.

So why live another minute being tortured by the FoxNews Fear Du Jour?

Why not cast our cares onto the Lord, lean back into His arms, and do something positive, like hard work, or spending time with a loved one. Let God be our defender, while we seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.