When the Headlines Steal Your Peace

There is a lot of chaos in the world today. And plenty of reasons to be concerned.  I even wonder if I’ll find a good story in the middle of all the bad I see every day.

But you know what? Every week… I do. Because the good does exist — and often in far greater measure than we might imagine. The problem is that the good rarely leads the headlines. It’s usually overshadowed by the conflict, the scandal, and the constant noise.

And if we let those stories dictate our mood, our peace, even our hope, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Some people call it depression, but when you dig deeper, it’s really hopelessness — a sense that things will never get better. And hopelessness is a dangerous place to live.

If we build a home for ourselves there — in that place of despair — we can begin to believe there is no possible good that can come from any of this.

If we lie down and get comfortable in that despair… we rob ourselves of the purpose and destiny God has designed for our lives. Hopelessness is not a place God intended us to live. Now don’t misunderstand me. This doesn’t mean we should ignore what’s happening in government.

Not at all.

What happens there matters. It affects our families, our freedoms, and our future. It deserves our attention and our engagement. But there is a difference between paying attention… and living in fear.

Part of being a responsible citizen is staying informed. Knowing what’s going on around you. Understanding the impact those decisions may have — not only on your life today, but on the lives of your children and grandchildren tomorrow. But allowing the bad news of the day to steal your sense of peace — that’s something else entirely. That’s not awareness. That’s surrender. And we’re not called to surrender to despair.

Now believe me, I know as well as anyone how discouraging things can seem at times. Some days the headlines feel like a drumbeat of division, corruption, and bad decisions. But I believe something very simple could change the way we face those days.

Gratitude.

Imagine if each morning we woke up with a simple realization that we actually woke up. That we were given the incredible gift of another day. Before we even check our phones… Before we turn on the news…. Before our feet even touch the floor…

What if we simply paused and recognized the gift we’ve been given? Another sunrise. Another chance. Another opportunity.

Scripture tells us in Psalm 118:24:

“This is the day the Lord has made — we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Notice something about that verse. It doesn’t say we might rejoice. It says we will rejoice. That’s not just a feeling. That’s a decision. It’s a declaration of will.

Before we even plant that first foot on the ground, we should recognize that we’re stepping into a day that was created by God Himself.

And we should ask Him to direct our steps.

Because the truth is this: That path we walk each day… it was never meant to be traveled alone. We need God guiding those footsteps. You and I are unique among all of God’s creation. Of all living things on this earth, we’re the ones given purpose — the ability to choose, to serve, to build, to love, to stand for truth. Knowing that alone should give us the courage — and even the excitement — to face whatever the day may bring.

Because each day is part of a journey. A journey toward redemption. Not just for ourselves, but for our families, our neighbors, and yes – for our country.  But that journey is disrupted when we allow hopelessness to lead us of the God ordained path. Now will there be difficult days along that journey? Of course. Will there be disappointment? Sadness? Moments where evil seems louder than goodness? Some days, absolutely.

But if we’ve lived long enough, our past experiences should have already taught us something important; Even in disappointment… there is direction. Even in sadness… there is comfort. And even when evil seems to stand tall… goodness still exists. Because darkness can never defeat the light. Light abolishes darkness. Every. Single. Time.

Jesus once told His disciples something that I think we could all use as a reminder right now. In John 16:33, He said, “Take heart.” Now the Greek word used there carries a deeper meaning than we might realize. It means take courage… be of good cheer… stand confidently even when trouble surrounds you. 

Think about that! 

Jesus didn’t say this for when everything was going well. He said it knowing that difficult days were coming. But He also knew something greater — that His victory over the world was already assured. In other words, Christ was reminding us that the chaos of the world does not get the final word. His victory already settled that. He’s reminding us that our hope isn’t tied to the headlines of the day. It’s anchored entirely in Him.  A friend of mine said something the other day that really stuck with me. He said, “You know, the devil always overplays his hand.” And when you think about it… isn’t that exactly how he got to be the devil in the first place?

Maybe we should make a promise to each other; that we won’t allow the bad news of the day… the political fights… or the disappointments we face… to cloud our vision. Let’s stay on the path God has illuminated. The one uniquely designed for each one of us. Nothing should slow us down on that journey. Not discouragement. Not anger. And certainly not despair. Because according to Ecclesiastes 9:4 “Anyone who is among the living… has hope.” 

If you would like us to pray for you about this or anything else that is weighing heavily on your heart – please go to: 

https://www.sheiscalledbyhim.com/prayer-room

God Bless You,

Rose