We find ourselves in a conundrum, don’t we? On one hand, we desperately seek emotional and mental peace, yet our actions often lead us in the opposite direction.
I must confess I am somewhat of a news junkie, often consuming more information—whether true or false—than is beneficial for me. Is it simply that I want to know what is happening in the world, or am I attempting to feel a sense of control because, as they say, knowledge is power? However, too much knowledge tends to make me more anxious rather than easing my mind. I wonder if this easy access to information is a partial cause of our anxious generation?
To counter the adverse effects of our stress-inducing information gathering, we try calming methods such as deep breathing and meditation and find some success. However, does this truly alleviate the internal conflict created by our need to know everything and the anxiety stemming from that pursuit? Constant exposure to negative world news and questionable information, layered with personal worries, culminates in more anxiety than ever. I’m not suggesting we remain ignorant or uncaring about all world events, but were we meant to know everything?
Constant exposure to negative world news and questionable information, layered with personal worries, culminates in more anxiety than ever.
What if, instead of our constant need for worldly information, we dedicated more time to learning from the One who truly holds control? What if we allowed God to replace our desire for control in our hearts with trust in Him? The more time we spend with Him, the more we realize He is trustworthy. He ultimately reigns above all worldly kings and rulers, ordaining and ordering all things. In John 16:33 (NIV), we read, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
If we genuinely learned to trust God and stopped pursuing control, would we discover our hearts quieted and our minds at peace? The more time we spend with the God of peace, the more peace we will possess.
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Thank you for your thoughtful post, Mary. It is a conundrum. I find it hard to find a balance between staying informed on personal, local, and world affairs while trying to keep sane and calm in the midst. I am especially working to continually cast ALL my cares, personal and otherwise, upon Him. I think you've hit upon the key when you say: "The more time we spend with the God of peace, the more peace we will possess". Amen.
ReplyDeleteThank you Brenda! Yes I believe that is key!
DeleteThank you for your wise words, Mary. Today, especially, these are words that encourage me to lean more on the strength of my Heavenly Father than spend time reading news bites. Thank you for pointing me to John 16:33 that contrasts the trouble in this world with the source of peace, Jesus himself.
ReplyDeleteThank you Lorrie for your words. I need to remind myself all the time that God is above it all!
DeleteThought provoking post, Mary. A couple of years ago we were away for 6 weeks and didn’t watch or receive news in any form for most of that time. When we got back home the same items that were on the news when we left were the same ones on the news when we returned. I agree with you wholeheartedly that we need to focus on the One who knows the beginning from the end. Thanks for the reminder.
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