As humans, we are curious and desire to know everything about what is happening around us. In today’s world, where news is available at any time and in various formats, this knowledge can easily overwhelm our thoughts and peace of mind. As a result, we often find our focus shifting more toward the external world rather than on the purpose for which we were placed on this earth.
This summer, I decided to take a break from news sources, YouTube, and podcasts. For 70 days, I refrained from my usual media consumption. I felt the need to step away from the constant flow of opinions about the world’s problems, especially from people I had never met in person.
During this time, I discovered that by tuning out everyone else’s voices, I was able to listen to my husband more clearly, and it became easier for me to pay attention in church. The reason behind this change was simple: I wasn’t bombarded with other people’s perspectives throughout the day or week.
I also realized that I didn’t worry as much about the world beyond my immediate circle of friends, family, church, and community. I was no longer preoccupied with keeping up with news stories or falling into the trap of consuming endless rabbit-hole topics. Instead, I enjoyed my summer without the burden of the world’s problems weighing heavy on my mind.
I had similar success when I went off social media several years ago. When I deleted my Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn accounts, it was a life-changing experience. It took some time to unlearn old habits, like constantly thinking about what to post next, or grabbing my phone just to read all about the latest doom and gloom. If you want to read about going off social media, check out my blog, “Easing off Social Media.”
Addictive New Cycles
News cycles can be addictive, much like a drug. Their goal is to keep you engaged because the news operates on a profit-driven model. To achieve this, they must remain alarming or intense; otherwise, you wouldn’t feel compelled to stay updated and “know” everything.
To me it sounds like the tree in the garden. And who was enticing the first people to partake of it? A serpent. Shouldn’t that be a clue? The first sin was really about partaking of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Tree of the knowledge of good and evil
Adam and Eve ate the fruit and their lives changed forever.
“At that moment their eyes were opened,
and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness.
So they sewed fig leaves together to cover themselves.”
Genesis 3:7
Do you feel like your eyes are opened when you regularly keep up with the news cycle? How does it make you feel? Do you feel like you are left bare in an area of your life that you need to fix and cover up? What emergency supplies, current scams, food recalls, politics, money markets, etc., do you need to pay attention to? Do you have something new every day to worry about or be upset about?
“When the cool evening breezes were blowing,
the man and his wife heard the Lord God walking about in the garden.”
Genesis 3:8a
Yes, before the fall, Adam and Eve walked with God. He gave them jobs and a purpose. Adam was to name the animals and tend to the garden. And Eve got to hang out with Adam and be his helper. Perhaps she grew a little bored, for when the tree of the knowledge of good and evil was brought up by the serpent, she became intrigued. Then they were tempted to eat the fruit and know good and evil. They thought it would be useful. But they were wrong!
God tells us to have faith and believe in Him, which is the opposite of thinking you need to know everything good or evil. Below are some verses to consider; however, the entire Bible is full of scriptures and stories that encourage us to walk by faith, not by sight.
Walk by Faith, not by Sight
I’m not suggesting that you completely avoid news, YouTube, or podcasts. However, it can be beneficial to take a break occasionally. If you never take a pause, you may not realize how much they influence you.
More and more, as new technology is able to make news and videos appear real even when they are not, people will have to rely on what God has told them all along. Trust God, obey God, pray to Him, and read the Bible.
Be cautious of this cunning trap, baited with opinions, falsehoods, and conspiracies, which can leave you feeling vulnerable and off guard. You will waste time and also forfeit your peace of mind. The Bible reminds us to “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” Trust in God’s goodness and in His covering, which He achieved on the cross.
We fill our lives with so many distractions. When did we stop paying attention to what we were put on this earth to do? We have people to love, work to do, and experiences to enjoy. All the while honoring God and being thankful to Him, who gave us this life to enjoy.
Below are links to previous articles that complement Escaping the News: Finding Peace.
Easing off Social Media
The author reflects on their decade of social media use, appreciating the connections made but deciding to ease off. They express a desire for deeper, more meaningful friendships, moving away from superficial interactions. The author encourages readers to evaluate their own friendships. Another benefit was that, since reducing their social media use, they’ve enjoyed creative projects like quilting and embroidery, realizing how valuable that time is compared to scrolling online.
Strengthen Faith
Just as muscles weaken without regular use, faith can diminish when not actively engaged. Strengthening our faith involves trusting in God and relying on Him in daily life, similar to how one conditions their body through various forms of exercise like cardio and strength training. The author emphasizes that challenges and sufferings can build endurance and character in faith, much like regular physical training increases confidence and capability in physical tasks. Engaging actively with faith can lead to a stronger spiritual life, paralleling how a consistent fitness regimen strengthens the body.
Jesus our Anchor
The text draws a parallel between a sailor preparing for a storm and how we can navigate the challenges in our lives. A sailor secures their vessel by setting an anchor and ensuring it is well-placed, using strong chains, and establishing an anchor watch in crowded harbors. These actions highlight the importance of being prepared and having a solid foundation.
Spiritually, the text encourages us to examine what we anchor our lives to, contrasting Jesus as a steadfast anchor with the ever-changing nature of worldly solutions like news and opinions. It emphasizes that while storms may come, being anchored in God’s word provides stability and assurance, as reflected in Hebrews 13:8, which states that Jesus Christ remains constant through time.
