Read All About It

Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you 

who weep now, for you will laugh.

-- Luke 6:21

       

There's an old saying in the news business that if it leads, it bleeds. Turn on the TV, surf the web or read a newspaper, and you're bound to come across story after story about presidential campaigns run amok, discouragingly-high unemployment rates and degenerate human behavior. The fact is that the media thrives on bad news and hyping the worst possible scenarios for maximum effect. After all, good news rarely drives ratings or sells magazines.

With bad news and scary headlines in such plentiful supply these days, how about counting your blessings for a while and taking a break from the bleakness? It's easier than you think. For one week, make the effort to avoid TV--particularly news broadcasts or shows with a political bent. Also, keep away from the same type of content on the web. And don't bother with newspapers or magazines. Many entertainment publications and even sports shows have become outlets for political agendas.

At the end of those quiet seven days, maybe you won't feel quite as informed as you would have had you stayed glued to the 24-hour news channel or the Internet. But odds are that you'll experience much less stress and have a greater appreciation for God's blessings in your life.

That's sound advice for ditching the bad news. So how about a good word for a change?

As Christ-followers, the Good News about Jesus and our new life through him are what gives us hope and a clearer perspective about the future. And as we read in the Bible about the many wondrous promises God has kept for those who love him, our anticipation only grows as we ponder the goodness that lies ahead. 

Are the headlines too much to bear these days? Good News and the blessings that accompany it are closer than you think. Make time each day to read all about it.