In the Netherlands (where I live) it is quite normal to start the day with reading the news paper. In other countries it is custom to start the day with watching the news on television. Through internet and mobile phones we even have more ways to receive the bad news. I don't know how you like to start the day, but I like to start with the good news.
That doesn't mean I ignore everything going on in the world, but it means I purposely choose to focus on God's promises and truth. From that point of view I can optimistically do my share (www.traveling-light.nl) to make this world a better place. Worrying about drama and disaster doesn't change a thing, we must act! Jesus constantly warned the people about worrying too much: be careful folks, don't go there!
In my previous post on the subject of worrying I quoted His words as found in Matthew 6:25. Let us continue to read (verses 26 and 27), Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? Again, two very interesting questions from our Lord.
Are you not much more valuable than birds? Yes, of course we are. Does that mean we do not need to sow and reap (read: work)? No, of course not. It means we should not worry. God will provide us with the things we need. The way I see it, it also means we should not put our trust in the drama and crisis stories the secular media is trying to push down our throats. Or, to make it practical: stop repeating the bad news! If we read God's promises with the same zeal we are reading the news paper with, things will change. We will begin to believe what the Word says! It would be wonderful if we began to speak about God's Word with the same assurance we often use when speaking about things seen on television.
And then His second question. Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? No, of course not. Worrying does not have added value.
How do you deal with the daily news?
Marja: I remember an older woman who was high-strung. She might have been called a Drama Queen, if she were around today. Her husband had a rather serious health issue. She worried about him. A while later, she had a stroke and passed away. These days,for some reason, I think of her often.
ReplyDeleteWorrying is bad for our health, that is for sure Cecelia. It does not add a single hour to our life... in some cases, it takes hours from our life.
DeleteHi Marja,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading this. While I'm a total news junkie, I pray every morning before I get out of bed. It's part of my routine. If I can't, I feel a bit out of sorts until I do. Then, I listen for God while I'm in the shower (because it's so quiet).
On a side note, I visited your country many years ago - gorgeous! I hope to get back one day.
Elsie
Hi Elsie, thanks for visiting my blog and my country... although that was a long time ago :)
DeleteHi Marja -
ReplyDeleteWhen I'm faced with great concerns, I:
A) Pray
B) Remember how God has met my needs in the past in every way
C) Thank Him for the answer in advance, and keep my heart attuned to
His wisdom.
Blessings,
Susan :)
Hi Susan, remembering how God met our needs in the past, that is always such a good thing to do. We forget sometimes and we worry for nothing. Thanks for the reminder.
Delete