"Headlines"

The headlines are not happy,

They make us feel depressed,

And if it’s all you listen to,

May think we have regressed.

So maybe reconsider,

The diet of the news,

And find a way to overcome,

What gives us all the blues.

Maybe write a headline,

Something all your own,

About some kind of blessing,

Or happy seed that’s sown.

Some kind word or gesture,

Something you’re thankful for,

A word of testimony,

An exciting open door.

Lord knows the world could use it,

And be encouraged, too,

To spread the news that God is good,

And all He still can do.

“Be thankful in all circumstances…” (1 Thess. 5:18, NLT)

Learning to be thankful in all circumstances is challenging if you’re on a steady diet of bad news. And that’s exactly what you’re hearing if you’re constantly tuned in to the 24-7 headlines. I believe in being informed citizens, at the very least so we can pray about issues as they arise. However if we are not careful our minds will be so inundated with what is wrong that we are overwhelmed by all the bad news. Our lives change as our minds are renewed, and that’s impossible without changing our mental habits. The scriptures give us a vast treasure of truth upon which to meditate. And then we are empowered to live thankfully and write a positive headline.

Lord, teach us how to overcome the negative and be thankful, in Jesus’ name.

Art by Clark Kelley Price, clarkkelleyprice.com. Used by permission. Thanks, Clark, and God bless you.