Have you ever been afraid to watch the news? Afraid of what you’ll hear and see. Just this past Friday there were terror attacks in Paris with a high rate of deaths and injuries. On that Thursday evening, 44 people were killed in a terror attack in Lebanon, and many others injured. In other places, ISIS continues its savagery. You’ll see all this and more when you watch the news. Is it any wonder that people are afraid to watch? Will you see another innocent, unarmed person killed because a policeman was afraid, you wonder? “Afraid of what?” you may well ask. Will you see that more murders and/or mass shootings occurred? The list goes on. What do you do when you are afraid to watch the news?
Here are three things to do:
Watch, When You Are Afraid to Watch the News
God has placed you in the world. You’re called to make a difference, not live in a sanitized bubble. Yes. It’s hard sometimes. There are times when you may need to take a brief respite. However, go back and see what is going on the world. Go back and be informed, for God has work for you to do in the midst of all that is happening.
In addition, look for the good. It’s not all bad news. Even in the midst of tragedy, there are people showing unconditional love and doing incredible acts of heroism. Moreover, when you are afraid to watch, remember that many people continue to go about their lives in love to God and neighbor. There is still much to celebrate.
Pray, When You Are Afraid to Watch the News
Pray for strength to watch the news, but above all pray for the people and places in the news. It takes a lack of humanity and and self-hatred and/or a complete loss of hope characterized by despair to wantonly kill and maim others. Such people badly need your prayers.
Pray for the relatives of the deceased who now have to live with that the pain of their loss. Pray for those who have been injured in so many ways.
Pray for justice. Pray for justice, not revenge. Pray for justice where these acts are concerned. Furthermore, pray for justice in the world so that those who have been wronged will know that they be heard and justice meted out without them resorting to violence.
Remember, When You Are Afraid to Watch the News
When you are afraid to watch the news, remember that you have hope for this life and the life to come. If you really believe in this hope, you will be fearless instead of useless. You see, some may lead you to believe that turning your attention to the hope you have for the life to come will make you useless in this life. That is a misunderstanding.
Sure you’re to set your mind what is above but that makes you more clear headed with direction for how to live below. Colossians 3, which admonishes you to set your mind on what is above, has clear instructions on how to live life below.
Remember that there are those who have no hope. Seek to share the love of God and hope in Christ with them. Remember that Jesus Christ died for all, including the aggressors and purveyors of evil and be temperate in how you see and react to them. In addition, remember that “all who take the sword will perish by the sword” and take up love.
What to do when you are afraid to watch the news? Watch and pray, and remember your hope.
Experience God more fully through honest, surrendered heart praying and live with greater clarity and peace.
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