Thoughts of a Sojourner

What I am sharing here today is not attempt to earn a badge of honor from anyone or to be pious, but to share my journey from one portion of this old negative world to find more joy and simplify life. Full transparency on my part, I have pretty much made decision in my life not to watch the news from any of the major news networks because I grew weary of the negativity and vitriol involved in all of them no matter what their political leanings. So some may ask, “How do you keep up with what is going on the world?” I made a decision to go back to old way of getting the news…..I read! You may think, “Well, there is still bias so what’s different?” The answer is yes, you still get some of the bias and negativity, but for me personally reading allows me to take the time to digest the thoughts being relayed through the words I read rather than only getting the sound bites, talking points, etc that the major media executives, show hosts, politicians, activists and basing my thoughts about the issues of the day on snippets and sound bites only from those that we agree with and maybe support. Understand this does not mean that I have changed my thoughts on the things concerning sin and righteousness because my thoughts on those things are not based on being conservative or liberal, but rather on the only real standard for truth, sin and righteousness and that is the holy scriptures contained in God’s word. However, what I have found that since taking my news from networks and show hosts, I have found myself willing to listen even to those that I disagree with and yes maybe even learn a thing or two from those that I may disagree with on any number of issues. The Bible has much to say about listening and condemnation concerning those that chose to speak hastily, hatefully and with a mean spirit. (Proverbs 12:15; 13:1; Proverbs 13:3; 15:31-32; 17:4; 17:28; 18:2; 19:20; 21:23; 25:12; 29:20; Ecclesiastes 5:1 {references taken from ESV Translation}). I have found my stress level has decreased since changing habits in digesting the news, my fears for the future have been greatly relieved (after all, our sovereign God still holds every portion of the future in His hands) and my desire to listen with grace, compassion & kindness. Rest assured for me these things are still a work in progress in my own life, but I am finding more joy in life as I grow in these things. So what is the message behind my thoughts on these things? It is not to say that everyone ought to stop watching and listening to news media because that is a personal decision that an individual must make for themselves. I do encourage you to make an effort to read of course, consider and digest those things, listen to others, engage others with gentleness & kindness…afterall, Christ Himself, when He engaged the culture and His opponents with passion, compassion, kindness, gentleness, a standard of truth based on the scriptures & His being God in the flesh. So other than the God in the flesh part, go and do likewise.