Compassionate Love Blog: Displaying compassion for those who fight mental illness, addiction, and abuse (c)2018 Nancy Virden, Always the Fight Ministries
Watching the news is like taking a bath in negativity and cynicism. You know as well as I that heroic events take place each day. That is because for every awful news story, there are first responders, families gathering to pray and comfort one another, and neighbors helping neighbors.
Yesterday, some well-trained air traffic controllers went to work, ready to save lives for eight hours as they do each day. Military pilots dressed in their uniforms, kissed their spouses, and left. First responders prepared for unpredictable shifts. No one knew they would be joined in an effort at saving a man’s life.
That is not how the news story read, is it? The headline was not “Dozens Offer Hope to Desperate Man.” No. News stories focused on a stolen plane, a man’s suicide, and then security issues at the hangar. This is the negative bent that makes the news business rich. Eventually, it makes us afraid.
Peace of mind does not seem to result from watching or reading the news. However, taking a break from it, does. Participation in creativity, sport, eye-to-eye connection, and laughter, enriches us. Biting back would-be complaints and looking for beauty instead raises our spirits.
Our mental health is often linked to how we think. Avoiding the news will not make everything all better. It will, however, make life less challenging.
You have probably heard wise advice about keeping toxic people at arm’s length. Why then, invite the same poison in to our homes via the news?
Earlier this week I had enough of the racing thoughts, flashbacks, and other PTSD-related symptoms that have been more sensitive lately. I asked God in prayer to help me, and he is. One of the truths I believe he reminded me is to stay away from the news for a while.
Do we need to know about all the murders and war crimes and natural disasters? No. Our best option is not sheltered ignorance, either. Nonetheless, there is no need to delve into the news every day or for more than a few minutes.
Joy is everywhere. Choose it.
Today’s Helpful Word
Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
***** COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME
NOTE: I am not a doctor or mental health professional. I speak only from personal experiences with and observations of mental and behavioral health challenges. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.
If you are struggling emotionally today or feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.
If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. (for international emergency numbers, go here ), or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not be alone. Hope and help are yours.
*phone pic by LUCI on rgbstock.com
Always the Fight 
Thanks for this Nancy. If we had a “friend” who took the opportunity of every meeting to spout negativity and slanted the majority of our conversations so severely that we would be hard-pressed to identify any truth we could stand upon, we would rightly question the relationship. I have come to view the “news” media in a more realistic light and avoid it as much as possible. As you say, that might not make everything all better. But it makes the lives of all who eschew the drain of it better, and taken together, we make everything we affect better as a result. We are then more likely to become part of the solution rather than just one more contributor to the problem.
LikeLike
Jon, your statement, “We are then more likely to become part of the solution rather than just one more contributor to the problem” is well put. I appreciate your circle of thought there. Clearly, thoughts based on truth will produce actions based on truth. Thanks for you insights!
LikeLiked by 1 person