Have you watched the news recently and just been depressed when it ended? I was recently looking at the headlines and remembered again why I don't spend much time there. I sure don't find many stories that make my life richer.
I really don't care how much jail time rapper Chris Brown received this week. Although I must confess he is a great reminder that money isn't everything. Here is a guy worth an estimated quarter of a billion dollars and he can't get his life together.
I really don't care about what product Lady Gaga will use for her next dress. Is it raw beef or some other equally appalling product used to gain our attention? And, yes, she did make a dress from raw beef.
I don't want to know all the details on the latest mass murder that took place somewhere in the world. Knowing every detail won't make my life happier.
What am I interested in? How about teacher, Julie Bauchman, who arranged a big surprise for one of her students. Mrs. Bauchman's little kindergartener hadn't seen her military dad since he was deployed two years ago. Mrs. Bauchman made a wonderful surprise reunion happen.
What about the man in China who every day carries his disabled son 18 miles a day to school and back because he just won't give up on his son.
Stories like these inspire me and make me say "way to go" to people like Mrs. Bauchman and the dad from China. These folks are making a big difference in the lives of others... even if it is only one person.
Should it surprise us that positive news gives us a lift and negative news makes us depressed? I don't think so. Let me take you to Philippians 4:8 that says this:
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
God knew all along that filling our minds with trash would harm us and He gave us clear instructions on what to think about. Next time you sense trash going into your head, grab your TV remote control and turn it off. Take control of your computer and look at something else. Do what God has commanded and... think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. It will make a huge difference in your life.
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