How to Read the News Without Losing Your Peace

It is good to know what is going on in the world. But the news can leave us worried and heavy. Here is how to stay informed and still keep your peace.

You turn on the news to find out what is happening. A few minutes later, your stomach is in knots. One hard story leads to another.

Many of us know that feeling. We want to stay informed. We care about our neighbors, our country, and our world. But too much bad news can fill our hearts with worry.

Jesus gave us a gift that the news cannot take away. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27, KJV)

His peace is not about everything going well. It is about knowing He is with us, even when things do not go well.

Here are a few simple ways to read the news and keep your peace.

1. Choose a time and a limit. Check the news once or twice a day, not all day long. Set a time, such as after breakfast, and stop when the time is up.

2. Start with God, not the headlines. Before you turn on the news, read a verse or say a short prayer. Let God speak to you first.

3. Turn headlines into prayers. When you hear about a storm, a war, or a hurting family, stop and pray for them. This turns worry into love.

4. Choose trusted sources. Some stories are written to make us angry or afraid. Pick a few steady, trusted sources and skip the rest.

5. Turn it off before bed. Give your mind time to rest. Read a Psalm or listen to worship music instead.

6. Think on good things. The Bible tells us to fill our minds with what is true, honest, pure, and lovely (see Philippians 4:8). Look for good news too. There are kind people and quiet miracles every day.

Here is a promise to rest on: "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3, KJV)

The world will always have hard news. But God is still on His throne. You can care about the world and still sleep in peace.

Closing prayer: Lord, the world feels heavy sometimes. Help me care without fear. Turn my worry into prayer, and fill my heart with Your peace. Keep my mind on You. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Read next:

A weekly news fast: why and how

Peace for people who live alone and watch the news

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By Boundless Writing Team and Dr. Layne McDonald