The NEWS is Very Negative...No Wonder There is So Much Depression

[The Narrow Way]

It matters not where you get updated as to the news that is happening in the world around us....whether it be secular or a Christian site - the VAST MAJORITY of the news is NEGATIVE. There is VERY LITTLE to uplift the mind or the spirit, in the news.

I'm 60 years old and have never lived with a TV in my house. Over the years, when we have gone on vacation, there has been a TV where we have stayed and we would watch the news. After just a few days, I could sense a real depression of mind come over me.

Just as we've been told, as Christians, by God Himself, what our PHYSICAL DIET should consist of, so God has not left us in the dark as what our MENTAL DIET should consist of.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8.​

If we are honest, we must admit that MOST of the news does not fit into this category.

At the same time I don't believe Christians should be OSTRICHES and stick their head in the sand, being oblivious to all that is happening around us in our world. We are called to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" and it's impossible to be "wise" if you don't know what is going on. But that doesn't mean we have to spend time EVERYDAY pouring over the events taking place in the world.

The life of John the Baptist sets a good example for us. There are many wonderful //'s with John's time and our time. Remember, he was anticipating the FIRST coming of Jesus, just as we are anticipating the SECOND coming of Jesus. And just as we are called to be separate from the world, John was, too. John was a TYPE of God's last day people today. I believe the following commentary shows us how we should relate to the news and the world today.

It was John's choice to forgo the enjoyments and luxuries of city life for the stern discipline of the wilderness. Here his surroundings were favorable to habits of simplicity and self-denial. Uninterrupted by the clamor of the world, he could here study the lessons of nature, of revelation, and of providence. The words of the angel to Zacharias had been often repeated by his God-fearing parents. From childhood his mission had been kept before him, and he accepted the holy trust. To him the solitude of the desert was a welcome escape from society in which suspicion, unbelief, and impurity had become well-nigh all-pervading. He distrusted his own power to withstand temptation and shrank from constant contact with sin lest he should lose the sense of its exceeding sinfulness. Counsels to Parents, Teachers & Students, pg. 445.3

But the life of John was not spent in idleness, in ascetic gloom, or in selfish isolation. From time to time he went forth to mingle with men, and he was ever an interested observer of what was passing in the world. From his quiet retreat he watched the unfolding of events. With vision illuminated by the divine Spirit, he studied the characters of men, that he might understand how to reach their hearts with the message of heaven. Counsels to Parents Teachers & Students, pg. 446.1

Our main intellectual focus needs to be, as Philippians 4:8 says, on POSITIVE, UPLIFTING things. If that is our focus, we'll be able to take in enough of the negative news to know what is going on in the world, and we'll know HOW we should understand and relate to the news. The news then, will not depress us and bring our spirits down.

Like John the Baptist, we will see the events taking place in our world today and realize that the Bible has predicted much of these evil things to happen before Jesus returns the SECOND time....so instead of allowing the news to cast us down, we should REJOICE that the news is telling us that Jesus is coming soon!

 

[chevyontheriver]

It matters not where you get updated as to the news that is happening in the world around us....whether it be secular or a Christian site - the VAST MAJORITY of the news is NEGATIVE. There is VERY LITTLE to uplift the mind or the spirit, in the news.

The old saying in media is 'if it bleeds it leads'. So it's nothing new about the media.

 

[d taylor]

the prince of the world is feeding the world lies and negativity which is his language and many of this world are living their lives by this. This is occurring even in light of God's word which should help the believer to have a better sense of truth and be able to avoid the traps of satan, but many do not.

 

[public hermit]

I don't have a tv, either. Horrible things, I agree. I get most of my negativity from the forums, lol. Kidding (sort of)! I love the forums.

I agree that a mental diet, especially these days, is paramount. How much information input does one need to get a gist of how things stand? Not much, I don't think. And, every bit of information (if we can call it that) has the potential to influence a thought thread, that in turn, can affect my attitude, passions, and perhaps even decisions. It's an important consideration as to what I allow myself to take in.

 

[com7fy8]

But that doesn't mean we have to spend time EVERYDAY pouring over the events taking place in the world.

Yes we need to manage our attention well, and not pore over what this world is feeding people.

Remember, he was anticipating the FIRST coming of Jesus, just as we are anticipating the SECOND coming of Jesus.

Jesus, I would say, tells us where our attention belongs, as we see the endtime evils coming to pass >

"'Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, for your redemption draws near.'" (Luke 21:28)

So, I see He is saying our attention needs to be to God, while evil is happening. And if our attention is to God, we will be . . . uplifted!

I think of how David handled the disaster when the Amalekites raided Ziklag and took the wives and children of him and his men. They were devastated; they wept until they were too weak to weep. Yet, somehow in all that, they had the energy to talk about stoning David . . . to blame and to stone someone. Sound familiar?

But you can read 1 Samuel chapter 30 and see what worked.

David got encouraged with the LORD, then made sure with God about what to do. And after they so succeeded with God, he handled things as family.

 

[Freth]

Just as we've been told, as Christian, by God Himself, what our PHYSICAL DIET should consist of, so God has not left us in the dark as what our MENTAL DIET should consist of.

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8.​

If we are honest, we must admit that MOST of the news does not fit into this category.

This is a message of utmost importance that all Christians should heed. It's not just the news, it's all forms of media.

Smart devices, computers, the internet, browsers and apps give us access to anything our heart desires. How quickly we can be drawn away from our faith. Before we know it, we are adrift on the sea and there is nothing visible on the horizon.

This is something I've struggled with time and again in my own life. How to balance living in the world but not being of the world. We must maintain a level of daily devoutness—dedication to our faith (i.e. the armor of God), which requires isolating ourselves, to some extent, from the world that is constantly seeking to pull us back into it.

Fulfilled prophecy should be a sobering reminder that time is short and that every minute we spend away from God is another minute lost to the world.

 

[Anthony2019]

Almost immediately prior to the Covid19 lockdown and travelling restrictions, I spent a weekend in a monastery where I spent my evenings having a meal with the friars.

Prior to my arrival, they took great care in considering my dietary requirements and any allergies I may have had.

When I arrived at the refectory, there were no menus inviting me to choose the meal that I wanted. The meal was served on an "as is" basis. I was free to either accept it or reject it. There were no other alternatives. That is the day-to-day reality of many people living in our world today.

As Christians, it is customary for us to share a prayer of grace before eating a meal. It is much easier to give thanks when what is served to us on a plate is palatable, enjoyable and familiar.

Life seems so enjoyable when we live a life of convenience, getting the things we want, when we need them, and on our own terms and conditions.

The monastery was located many miles from the nearest road or village, with no public transport connections, no wi-fi, no TV's for me to binge on my favourite box sets.

In contrast, there are millions of people living the world over in a level of poverty that is totally indescribable.

Negative news stories are always unsettling but sometimes we need to hear them to remind ourselves that the world in which we live is not a perfect one, and as a useful reminder that although we may be struggling, there are millions of people far worse off than us. It is the perfect opportunity to reach out with God's love and show that we care.

 

[Bobber]

At the same time I don't believe Christians should be OSTRICHES and stick their head in the sand, being oblivious to all that is happening around us in our world. We are called to be "wise as serpents and harmless as doves" and it's impossible to be "wise" if you don't know what is going on. But that doesn't mean we have to spend time EVERYDAY pouring over the events taking place in the world.

True. I'm tempted to think sometimes we'd be better off just envisioning a dome over our town or city and that is YOUR world. What good is there in my feeding my mind with commotions of another place even thousands of miles away. Would my town or region (not being in the U.S) if we had some local upsetting (I won't get into about what) but would other people give it all their mental energy thinking about it through their day?

I think for thousands of years in many ways they weren't caught up in the things going on everywhere. Other towns/cities even 100 miles away was very much like a different world and everyone's own problems generally speaking was for them to work out. Of course that wasn't true for all things but for many things .

It was John's choice to forgo the enjoyments and luxuries of city life for the stern discipline of the wilderness.

Yeah maybe John's way should pretty much be like what we should be like we're in the wilderness of not knowing or caring about so much of the strivings that natural men get caught up into. When people ask us what do you think about this or that.....good to know about some things true, but about this, that or the other .....maybe we should be replying God doesn't want me to fill my mind with all that stuff.

And maybe God might say it's right for that to be on their minds but not yours. I'm not talking about not knowing about earthquakes, natural disasters and maybe to give to others for relief....but just for so many other things that go on in their world. Maybe those are things that they alone should be figuring out.

 

[Fantine]

One election year i canceled Sirius radio and donated the money to charity.i could have bargained them down to $10 a month but wanted to stop focusing on MSNBC.

I knew I would have NPR on FM which is also progressive but diverse and eclectic.

When they offered me $5 a month I caved.

Yes, there is bad news sometimes but overall I feel so much more optimistic.

Optimistic but vigilant.

 

[HARK!]

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[1watchman]

Yes, Philippians 4:8 about sums things up for Christians, for certainly politics is NOT for "born again" saints. We are "ambassadors for Christ" in a foreign place!