Staying Focused in Uncertain TimesSample

Title: Focus Off News 

The driving force behind news is to capture your attention and one of the primary ways that media does that is through inciting fear. If the news can make you anxious and afraid, then you're more likely to check in often to read articles or listen to shows. 

It creates this sort of addictive cycle where it makes you feel terrible, but you come back to it for some kind of reassurance. But unfortunately, instead of feeling better, the news--especially as of late--often makes you feel worse so you come back again, hoping something better will be there this time. 

God wants us to take our focus off of looking to the news when we're anxious and instead wants us to look to Him. 

Psalm 121:1-4 says:

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;
indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep."

God is our help. God is the One with the answers. Instead of scanning the headlines for answers and reassurance, we need to look into the eyes of Our Heavenly Father and allow His perfect love to cast out all fear. 

"There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love." ~1 John 4:18 

One way I've been putting this into practical action is to take "news fasts," where I choose not to look at any news for a certain number of days. These fasts really help to settle my heart, mind, and spirit.