Turn it off. Stop watching. Scroll on. Sometimes we just need to stop engaging in the all too consuming ways of the world. I am not saying being uniformed, but don’t be so consumed. If all we ever do is fill our minds and burden our hearts with the brokenness and sin of the world, we can all too easily lose sight of the goodness in it. God’s goodness. His peace. His hope. Media loves to distract, to overwhelm, to stress us for an extra dollar, an extra view, attention, a narrative. In our seek for staying informed may we not be caught up in its chaos. There are times where I too have found myself completely stressed and overwhelmed over things I cannot control or things only made to distract us from God. If we are constantly watching and reading the news or things that are negative, it is easy to lose joy. Life can already be hard at times, we can still be informed in the world, without causing ourselves an overabundance amount of extra stress. I have recently been trying to watch more positive things and not to focus on the negative. We may not be able to control hardships in our lives when they happen. But we can choose to add to them by what we are putting in our hearts and minds. Friend, may we be mindful of what we are allowing in our lives. Are we spending too much time in the world, or are we spending enough time with God?

Erin Fitts-Brower

Be mindful

Romans 12:2 NIV

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

1 Corinthians 7:31 NIV

 those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.

Proverbs 4:23 NIV

Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

Philippians 4:8-9 NIV

 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. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.