There is so much vying for our attention these days. The news is difficult to avoid, even when you are intentionally trying to do so. Social media uses formulas to engage your interests and insight emotional responses. Children, spouses, careers, church, friends, parents, world and local events, all of these are capable of shattering our peace. I sometimes find myself retreating from phone calls and emails as well as direct contact with people because I am just so overwhelmed by all of the blessings and struggles in my own life and even in the lives of people half way across the world. Just writing this is stressing me out! I want to turn it down or off. Where is the life remote control?

How often we become focused and then consumed by the news, good and bad, around us that we lose focus on the truth! I mean it’s no secret that the news we read and watch is not always true, but that is not what I am writing about. I recently listened to a commercial on the radio for a conference. The speaker on the snippet said, “There is news and then there is truth. The news may be ‘I don’t want to get out of bed today,’ but the truth is, ‘God loves me and because of that I’m ok.'” This little moment stuck with me. It is an acknowledgement of what is happening to me and around me, but a focus on what is most true, the sovereignty and love of the God who created me. Woh!

What have you been focusing on? News or truth? As you go through your day, ask yourself, “Is this news or truth?” Truth does not change. News is fluid. I think that is part of why being out in God’s creation helps me to re-center myself. It is quiet…except for the sound of the birds singing, the water rushing in the creek, the wind rustling the leaves in the canopy of trees. When the breeze blows, I often find myself closing my eyes and opening my hands to receive the blessing, without even thinking about it. What helps you to refocus on truth? Do it as often as possible. If we do not intentionally redirect our focus to the truth, then we will automatically be consumed with the news.

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. Philippians 4:8