No News Is Good News

“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” Mark 1:15

It has been a year since I tuned out of the bad news. About the only news I watch now is a few minutes of local news just before the weather comes on. Also occasionally someone has CNN or Foxnews on at the Senior Center where I exercise. That’s it. And that’s enough to remind me why I tuned it out in the first place.

Shutting off the news has been one of my best decisions. The negativity, the vitriol, the endless stream of bad news brought nothing but anger and irritation to me before I dumped that thought garbage. My mental health has thanked me ever since.

When we fill our minds with good things, and especially the Good News of Jesus Christ, it changes our attitude and mental outlook. Rather than feeling that the world is completely out of control, we get to know the One who ultimately controls it all and has a bright future in store for those who belong to Him.

There are plenty of bad things in this world. At times it takes some effort to find and think about the good things. But there are many positive things in this world to think about. God has blessed us all in so many ways that once we start counting our blessings we realize there is no reason for our minds to be filled with anger, discouragement, and despair about life.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Believer, when you are tempted to be discouraged about this life I encourage you to focus upon your blessings instead. And if you are not a believer I encourage you to read the Good News found in the Bible and discover all the good things God has done for you so that you can believe in Him.

Life is too short to spend it wasting time on endless strife, angry rhetoric, and ongoing negativity. Fill your thoughts with the good things of God and He will renew your heart and mind.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we waste so much time in worry and mental anguish over things beyond our control. Help us to surrender our cares to You and Your will. Amen.