Yesterday, I paid no attention to the news until shortly before bed. It was a good day.
Sometimes I long for simple Covid lockdown days, when the only news was, "When will it end?" Other than constant arguing over lockdowns, there was little news, here or globally. Quiet.
Recently I wrote a blog series about the problem of fear. So much fear builds in our era because there is much to absorb. Think about it: two hundred years ago, people didn't find out for weeks which candidate won the election or even that a war was over. Now we get instant global news in real-time at the swipe of a fingertip.
It's a lot to take in. This is a major reason there is so much fear in the world today. Before, you knew what happened in your village, and that was pretty much it. Now there are wars and elections and policies and tragedies and disasters and violence and poverty and so many things to care about locally, statewide, nationally, and globally.
Not that we shouldn't care. We should certainly feel for those trapped in situations and do what we can. But we can't do everything in this great, great, great, big world.
I have a two-step recommendation. Here’s how to approach fear and dread that soak into us because of the news.
First, sing "He's Got The Whole World in His Hands." God indeed holds the whole world. Too often we don't believe that and think we need to do God's job, pushing things along, picking up the pace, doing what we think is right regardless of whether God agrees. Let's breathe and sing and realize that God has seen everything. God has seen all the madness this world has to give. God is surprised by nothing. While we may not know the details and the in-between, we know the ending: God wins.
Second, let's accept whatever part of the world God parcels out to us. We can't individually take on every need, every issue. What has God put in front of us? What stirs us and what doesn't? What is God's calling on our lives?
If we trust that God is in control yet wants us to partner in the work; if we believe that we have our assignments and God will find others to do the rest; then we don't have to absorb the bigness of the world. We will find our place, do our part, and leave the rest of the details to God and others.
I'd love to stay in touch on a regular basis. The best way is through my two free emailed monthly newsletters; one contains insider info, while the other shares practical faith tips and ministry happenings. Please click to CecilTaylorMinistries.com and register for free in the pop-up window or in the orange box on the home page.
Comments