How to Read the News without Losing Your Peace
It seems the world becomes more complex and frightening with each generation. There was a time when it was actually safe to let your kids walk home from school, but many parents would never imagine allowing that today. Home used to be a haven free of work and school stress for most people, but since the internet and social media came on the scene, it can sometimes feel like a person is living in a fishbowl. In addition, many employers expect more of employees because of technological advances that allow for remote working.
The explosion of news programs and the 24/7 news cycle means that it’s easier than ever to find out what’s happening around the world. The speed at which news is served up, the amount of content available, and the plethora of its availability on mobile devices, computers, email, radio, and television can feel like trying to drink from a fire hose. Below are a few thoughts regarding keeping your peace while reading, watching, or listening to the news.
Don’t Be Afraid to Step Away from Your Device
When breaking news hits the headlines, information is typically limited at that moment and it takes a bit of time for a story to really develop. Breathless reporters and screaming headlines tend to rehash what’s already known until fresh information and images become available, at which time they want to be the first to report the new information. While this is good for their ratings, it can be hard on a person’s sense of emotional and mental well-being. Turning off the news frenzy for a short time and focusing on hobbies or spending time with loved ones and friends can do wonders for restoring calm.
Barring some natural disaster or national threat, there’s very little that we need to know immediately. And if we do need to know something immediately, the Wireless Emergency Alert System and/or Federal Emergency Alert System will notify people who have a cell phone. The National Emergency Broadcast System will also inform the public via radio or television. As for the rest of the news, if we miss an update, it’s not hard to get caught up via a mobile device, the radio, or television. Visit Emergency Alerts for additional information about emergency alerts.
Remember that News Stories are Typically about Unusual Circumstances
The news stories that make the headlines are the ones that have the greatest amount of shock value on a particular day. For example, it’s not every day in America that there’s a mass shooting, violent rioting in the streets, a ministry leader falls from grace, or two countries with nuclear capabilities go to war against each other. These things tend to grab the public’s attention, which is good for media ratings and drawing the financial support of advertisers and/or subscribers.
Keeping this in mind helps with perspective. In addition, God has a plan and a purpose for each of us (Jer. 29:11). He has promised that He will “keep in perfect peace” anyone whose mind is “stayed” on Him (Isaiah 26:3). The Hebrew word for “stayed” means “to lean upon or take hold of,” according to Strong’s Concordance of the Bible. So, suppose we’re starting to feel overwhelmed or even fearful due to current events. In that case, it’s important that we seek out opportunities in our busy schedules to spend more time in His Word, praying, and memorizing verses hidden in our hearts. When we take the time to dwell on things that are pure, true, lovely, just, noble, and of good report (Philippians 4:8), it helps to bring balance to our lives and a sense of God’s peace.
Develop an Eye for Bible Prophecy in the News
Many of the news items happening on the global scene right now are events that can be connected to prophetic Bible passages. For example, many students of Bible prophecy have wondered if the war between Israel and Iran is the prophecy in Ezekiel 38-39 playing out because it speaks about allied nations to the north (including Persia, which many believe is modern-day Iran, and Magog, which many believe is modern-day Russia) coming against Israel in the last days. Senior Pastor of Harvest Fellowship Greg Laurie has referred to this as “a foreshadowing” but doesn’t see it as the actual beginning of that prophecy, according to his recent blog post.
When the Disciples asked Jesus what would be the signs of His return, Jesus basically spoke of an increase in wars, rumors of wars, famine, pestilences (diseases), kingdoms rising against kingdoms, nations against nations, the rise of false Christs, increased lawlessness, the love of many growing cold, and the Gospel being preached to all the nations of the world. And that’s just during the time of sorrows (Matthew 24:3-14).
In John 21:25-28 He speaks of signs in nature, and that when people begin to see all of these fearful things, they should look to the heavens with an expectancy and a hopeful heart because they are signals that His return is very near. If we have a personal relationship with Him, the thought of His return should bring great joy and the peaceful assurance of His supernatural protection.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Goodboy Picture Company
Originally published June 26, 2025.
