Be Careful About Your Thoughts
I made a mistake today. I let the news get my attention before I had given attention to the Word of God.
I admire the reporting of Breitbart’s people. They are a trusted source. But the subjects they deal with are also very dangerous to one’s mind and soul. The nature of the news media, with it’s motto of, “If it Bleeds, it leads,” combines perfectly with the intentions of islamic terrorists, who are constantly seeking to get free broadcast of their atrocities. We are subjected to a daily attack of fear inducing stories and images, presented by well intentioned reporters.
It took me more than 2 hours today to wrestle my thinking back into a semblance of peace after seeing the picture above.
In order to function effectively, we need to be operating within a mindset of confidence in the grace of God. It’s like what St. Paul instructed Timothy,
“Constantly keep in mind Jesus Christ (the Messiah) [as] risen from the dead, [as the prophesied King] descended from David…”
– 2 Timothy 2:8 (AMP)
Keeping the Risen LORD ever before us, we can move with power in this dark world. One key to this is to avoid allowing news stories to steal our attention away from God’s promises, presence and power.
Note to self: God’s Word first. News after.
The news is an accounting of what has already happened and can’t “un-happen.” It can induce a fatalistic mindset. We need to remember that the news only tells us what has happened before we stepped in, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, began changing things.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, 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
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