How do I respond to the news?

That is a real question lately. And while some may respond with some of the following:

• “I never watch it.”
• “Who cares?”
• “It frightens me.”
• “You can’t believe anything they say.”

And wherever you fall on the measuring line that is okay. I do not mind watching news, as it gives me opportunity to reflect on how good God is and how big He is.  (Also to pray!) Some of my thinking was predicated by a friend’s post on Facebook the other day.  “It is impossible to be stressed out and grateful at the same time.” I recognize that everyone has “some” stress in their lives. The key is not getting stressed out over things. Or keep on adding to it.

Earlier this year I wrote a short book on changing our world by what we say and what we think. It is about taking the position of heaven and superimposing it over your world. (Matthew 6:10) When I think about “stress” I find that in most cases it is the value you put on a situation or circumstance. For instance one of my children does not like to speak in public though her job often necessitates it. I understand. I go through it. But I place higher value on the message God has given me to bring forth rather than my short time of uncomfortability.So what about the news? All news is not relegated to the media side of life. Sometimes it is the unsuspected call at 2AM or the flat tire you have when you get ready to go to work. If your system of value is not in play, you will struggle with that kind of news.

Earlier this week I went for a motorcycle ride. On the way home I decided to take a number of back roads. I have a very good sense of direction so I was not worried about “getting lost.” And then there was a sign “road closed.” Well, I am always one to take a risk, so I continued on the “missing” road section. At that point I turned around and started over.

As a child I often watched cartoons where a character jumped into a boat or grabbed on to a log in a slow moving river to get away from someone or something. And you know the rest. As they sat there laughing at their getaway and breathing sighs of relief, you begin to hear the waterfall.

I, for lack of any better description describe it as the waterfall syndrome. People get into a boat or grab onto a branch allowing the water to sweep them away. The water is moving at a slow pace and they can catch their breath, perhaps even sightseeing a bit. And a detour comes up, but they may be too tired or worn out to really do anything about it. It is not long after they see the water speeding up, as the shore passes by faster and faster, that they realize something is up. Moments later there is the waterfall and the end. “HELP!!!”

All of this could have been avoided earlier by choosing the proper “boat” or track. Perhaps God opened a detour. (I know He did. 1 Corinthians 10:13) But maybe life was too comfortable or seemingly overwhelming. And moments later…CRISIS!

How do you respond to the news? Is there an overriding sense of His goodness? Of His favor and blessing? Or do you just chalk it up to “one more time”? What “boat” did you get into? What “signpost” are you allowing to appear and disregard? What will you do with the news?

In 2008 Hillary Clinton’s ad spoke of “it’s 3AM and the phone is ringing in the White House. Who will answer it?” The point of the ad was do you want experience or lack of experience. The same is being asked here. Do you have your thought process in place? Do you know what your foundation is?

Too many I encounter have run into the “I never expected THAT!” moments. The thing they least expected has happened. We are in the middle of equipping and understanding the purpose.

My reason for bringing this up, is God is calling you to be prepared. The reason for preparation is that frequently it is tested. God is opening our eyes to a never before seen world/ How can that be? I do not know. But even today as I prayed for a young man I saw supernatural beings. And in that moment I prophesied over him that the “supernatural would be natural.” God takes the natural and “super-fies” it or something.

What will you do with the news?