I hate watching the news. While I used to stay up and listen to the latest weather and happenings of the day for the 11 o’clock news, now I click off the television and head straight for my pillow – by way of a good tooth brushing and face washing. I am a girl after all.
When I used to watch the news, I listened reports of crime after crime in my metropolitan city. Murder, rape, assault, robberies…you name it. They would sprinkle them out on the news desk like salting a pot of grits. I found after listening to all of it I couldn’t sleep. So I stopped.
Before you accuse me of sticking my head in the sand, I do know that my not watching doesn’t make the crimes not happen. But my watching them doesn’t make them stop. So I choose not to watch.
Lately Facebook hasn’t been much different. Foodie pics, dumb cat videos and ridiculously corny 80’s memes have been replaced with divisive news articles and political posts. And it can leave one feeling hopeless. Many days I make the choice to walk away from Facebook for a while because I can’t stand the negativity.
Today, as I read Psalm 27, the Lord spoke encouragement to my heart. David exalts the name of the Lord, even amidst his enemies coming against him. In the end he says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” (Psalm 27:13-14 NIV)
If you are feeling discouraged today with what’s going on in the world around us, take heart. Have hope that you will see the goodness of the Lord while you are still on this earth (in the land of the living). Take David’s advice and wait on the Lord. Be strong and wait.
