Many years ago, I went on a news fast. To be more precise, I stopped reading, watching or listening to any and all news from 1988 through 1993-ish. Can’t say I missed finding out about wars, famines, and predictable instances of inhumanity in real time. My biggest shock was learning that Sammy Davis, Jr. had died and Mr. Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. had stepped down from the Supreme Court.
Can’t remember why I decided to get back into the nauseating swing of following the daily news, but that’s what happened during the mid-1990s, although junking my TV set in 2002 helped cut the flow of garbage in. Glory be…
Here it is nearly a decade later and thanks to social media, I’m awash with news in faster-than-real time. And because I focus on news about faith, religion, health and healthcare, I’m generally awash with distress. Still, I continue to read, listen and occasionally watch the news. It serves as a reminder to pray without ceasing; as a call to trust God’s sovereignty and the power of the Holy Spirit. Praying the news serves as a blessed antidote that helps replace horror with hope.
Meredith, nice post. I think your idea has merit. I tend to “fast” from specific stories – like the OJ Simpson trial. I didn’t read about it or watch anything about it. I just hated the idea of someone’s personal tragedy becoming my entertainment. I feel the same way about Charlie Sheen and his meltdown, but in the years since OJ, it is much harder to escape the news. TV’s are everywhere!
Thanks for taking the time to leave comments. Much appreciated and nice to have company on the journey.
What a good post. I appreciate that someone actually thinks about what she’s watching. I haven’t got any patience for news nowaday — too much fluff and little real stuff.
But, I will watch the news in order to pray. God certainly has ways to keep us praying…
On retreat last summer (when I usually give up the news), my director for the week suggested praying the news…and it gave me new eyes to be sure!