Got News? I probably haven't heard about it.

Today, I read an entry on  Dale Tedder's blog regarding his 30 day experiment to withdraw from following the news of the day. This immediately struck a chord with me because I have been "off" news for years and feel my life is more peaceful because of it. 

My spirit isn't suited for following what is touted as news these days.  Most "news" is what I'd characterize as the daily satan report. (not an error, he doesn't get a capital letter)  Gloom and doom is most of what I'd see on the so-called news reports and then I would end up worrying about things I had no control over.  If I allowed myself to get sucked into any of the paparazzi or magazine articles that are unavoidable at the grocery check-out, I'd surely waste energy thinking I was not pretty enough, not rich enough or not enjoying life as I should be.  This is energy and time that is better spent focusing on those that are actually in my circle of influence.

Some may say I am grossly misinformed.  However, I find that a news story that is important enough for me to know about, one that actually is around for more than a day, will find it's way to my ears.  For instance, just today I heard about a mass murder in Norway that happened 4 days ago and I didn't know the name, Casey Anthony, until her trial was just at it's end.  I don't feel I missed out on anything, except an addition to my prayer list, by not hearing about these tragedies sooner. Most people may think this is strange and impossible, that I must live in a bubble.  I don't find it strange at all.  I am fully aware of the persecution of Christians across the globe.  I am praying for friends on a mission trip in Honduras this week.  I know that a missionary named Ezekiel Fish has had a part in saving 14,000 souls during his 30 plus years in Thailand and surrounding areas.  I am praying for the lost in my very own family and trying to exhibit Christ's love to my unsaved neighbors.  This is about all I can handle while ministering to my husband and three children. This is not to say I am not concerned with local, national or world events if they are brought to my attention but there has to be a limit to what I allow into my life.

So, what do I allow?  We don't have cable or satellite TV, but when we did, I would occasionally watch a few shows on FOX News Channel because I do believe they are "fair and balanced".  Sometimes we carry a subscription to WORLD Magazine.  This has also proved to be a reliable source of current events.  They even have a children's version of the magazine.  And recently I've found that the K-Love radio station does "good news" stories about, well, GOOD news.  It gives me hope to hear these quick reports about those who put others above themselves.

In this age of information overload, I have found that if I limit the "news" I allow myself to absorb, it is much easier to "be still and know that HE is God."  Psalm 46:10