If we pay too much attention to the news, we can all too easily replace fear where trust in God should be. Media is filled with such negativity, agendas, things that try to separate us from God and His hope. We must be careful in our quest to keep up with the happenings of this world, that we are not consumed with it all. We must learn to stay informed with His wisdom at the helm and then know when to set the worldly struggles aside and pray. Recently I have started to really be more intentional with not getting too caught up with things I read or things I watch. I have replaced those times where I would hear too much negativity with things that are more positive. I am not so sure that we were meant to know as much as we do. I don’t know that I should know about every hurt and every hard thing in this life. Being informed and educating ourselves is good. Though in doing so we must be wise. We must learn discernment and must not let all the worlds troubles become our own. We must pray for the world and help where we can. But we must not try to carry burdens as though we are God. We must care, without being consumed. The enemy can all too easily use hardships of the world to weigh us down and stop us from fully trusting God, to be God. Friend, may we care, be compassionate, kind, and helpful with each other. Though it is also important that we do turn off the negativity sometimes of things outside of us and just pray. We are not God and we can’t fix everything. I am not saying not to help one another, what I am saying is be careful with putting too much on our shoulders. The enemy likes to see us filled with worry, stress, and not trusting fully in God. The enemy likes to see us caught up with so much worry and stress with things outside of our control that we get caught in a negative, distrusting mindset. Friend, may we learn to trust God more, lean into prayer harder for our world, and know that though we should care, let’s not be consumed.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Don’t be consumed

John 16:33 NIV

“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.”

Philippians 4:6-7 NIV

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.