You may have heard the old sayings, "You can have too much of a good thing," or "All things in moderation." Maybe American's love-hate relationship with news and politics is too much of a bad thing. Have you ever thought about how we as a country focus so hard on politics that it may be harming our mental health? People are angry, depressed, losing friends, arguing with family members, and getting all riled up over what's in the news and how American politics are rolling across the channels. This obsession is not only causing stress on individuals, it is ruining relationships across the country. We may feel like walling ourselves up to hear or see no more, but that isn't a solution that will change the issue. How to deal with it?
For me, I am bombarded with news and politics and religion from the time I awaken in the morning. I try to limit the amount of news intake because much the same is coming from all the sources. I try to discern what is truth and what is lie. And I step back to keep things in perspective. Each Daily Jot requires getting into the Word of God because there is a biblical principle that is emphasized with respect to the topic covered. Being grounded in God's word is a true aid to protection from news overload. It also is a guard against becoming offended by those who misinterpret, take out of context, are belligerent, judge from the content of their own heart, or are just outright nasty-many of whom claim to be Christians.
It's easy to get out of sorts when someone is calling you names, you are being labeled as something you are not, and just being associated with a certain political or religious persuasion singles you out as a dredge of society. But the solution is not to respond in kind-that only fuels the flames and confirms in the accuser's mind that he was right. Remember, people usually accuse another of exactly what the accuser is doing-this is what I mean when I say they are judging from the content of their own heart. These are folks who often have deep-rooted problems in their lives and are projecting those onto others because they cannot discern properly. The trick is to not get angry and retaliate, but be calm and educate.
The words of the Apostle Paul come to mind as an example of how to handle too much of a bad thing. He writes in 2 Corinthians 4:8-10,"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body." Then in Ephesians 6:13, "Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." This is followed by, "that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak." When you are overwhelmed by too much of a bad thing, remember who you are in Christ, his resurrection power, armor up with his Word, stand, and speak boldly. Focus on Christ, not news and politics.
