Election Day, November 2, 2010 is over and today I am tired. 

I am tired of watching the news, reading the papers and listening to the voices on the airwaves. I am tempted to stop listening all together, put in my iPod earbuds and begin living in a bubble of ignorant bliss or throw up my hands and simply hope for the best.

Of course I will not do any of that. I am neither a fatalist nor a fool.  I am a follower of Christ and, as such, have a responsibility to stay informed, think seriously about the issues facing our culture and country and stand fast holding tightly to the truths I have been taught.  But how do I do that?  How do I, with clear eyed reality, stand fast and hold tight without losing heart or becoming weary?

Perhaps the answer lies in what Norman Vincent Peale once said, “The more you lose yourself in something bigger than yourself the more energy you will have”.  What I need is less time spent listening to the news of the world and more time alone with Jesus and an open Bible.
I’ve heard it said that if catching the morning news discourages you, stay away from it!  Read the Bible instead and save the news for a time when you can prepare for and then recover from its shock.  

When I do that, when I lose myself in the pages of God’s Word and focus on His greatness, the worries of the world grow smaller.  I am refreshed with hope, gain a new perspective and am reminded of the words of Christ Who told us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!”  And, “When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, see that you are not troubled. For all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet… (John 16:33 & Matthew 24:4-6)

I was reminded of those words as my husband and I drove home through the mountains of Virginia where we saw big yellow road signs warning us of approaching steep downgrades.  Sign after sign announced we were coming to a stretch of highway radically different from the one we were currently traveling with the last of the signs pointing to runaway truck ramps. They certainly caught our attention, increased our level of alertness and made me a little nervous.
    
The news, talk radio and some of the e-mails I receive are much like those bright yellow road signs. I dare not ignore them but at the same time must not allow confusion, anxiety, or fear to paralyze me mentally or emotional drain me.  I must not be troubled and remember that, because I have put my trust in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, I can fasten my seat belt and proceed with confidence knowing the brakes will hold!  I can stand fast and allow the Word of God to keep things in perspective.

e-mail Penny at:  thebloomlady@gmail.com and follower her on Twitter