Woman to Woman: Avoiding Headline Anxiety

Headline stress disorder, the newest diagnosis for the anxiety occurring from reading today’s headlines surfaced recently. Perhaps, like me, you avoid watching or reading the daily headlines as a means of escaping heart palpitations or a sick feeling in your stomach.

But God provided a better avenue for taking the anxiety out of reading the headlines.

With the onset of 24/7 televised and internet news channels, we have unprecedented access to news anytime, anywhere. Add the participation of social media outlets, Twitter, Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook, and we find no easy escape from a daily dose of anxiety.

Certainly, the news is not for the faint of heart, but even the cynical soul encounters anxiety on a regular basis among the headline offerings of today’s news sources.

My personal discipline of skimming or avoiding the news altogether seldom protects me from anxious thoughts when everyone around me engages in fear-filled conversations.

In a world filled with turmoil, the Bible reminds us, in the world trouble abounds (John 16:33) but taking the anxiety out of reading the headlines happens when we also remember Jesus overcame the world and gives us His Peace.

While I tend towards hiding from daily news feeds, I know my avoidance tactic falls short of preventing news driven anxiety. As with any type of anxiety, hiding or avoiding the triggers creates more anxiety.

Yes, the news offers much in the way of tragedy, evil and sadness, but it also offers uplifting stories of triumph, human resilience, and amazing accomplishments in every field.

God desires we walk wisely as a light in this world keenly aware of the “signs of the times”.

From the reassurance of God’s Presence, He begins altering our perspective on news events, and we view them in a more helpful, prayerful way.

After calmly and mindfully sitting with God, relinquishing your anxiety, and troubling thoughts over the headlines, continue seeking His perspective and instruction. Listen for His instruction on how you must pray, or act, and avoid preoccupation with things over which you have no control.

Avoid preoccupation with news drama. (Psalm 131:1-2) The psalmist reminds us not to occupy ourselves with things “marvelous and wonderful”. His reference to the intricacies of theological hair splitting applies to avoiding the incessant preoccupation with all of the details of the news, feeding our anxiety.

Focus on God’s News. (Psalm 92:5-7) Spending more time in God’s Word than with news and social media feeds, fills our hearts and minds with the truth from God’s perspective and strengthens our reliance on God.

Acknowledge God as your only true hope. (Psalm 73:24-25) Taking the anxiety out of reading the headlines happens when we pursue God’s comfort in His Word, claiming the promises He has for us and seeking His guidance in troubling times.

Set your mind upon God not the news. (Isaiah 26:3-4) Rather than musing and wrestling with the news in your mind, set your mind on God, claiming His promised Presence Provision and Peace.

We live in troubled times, but we are not without hope. Jesus reminds us in Him we have Peace; we need not succumb to these troubled times nor allow fear to capture our hearts. (John 14:27)

Clinging to the Rock of your salvation, trusting His sovereign care and provision amid a world filled with turmoil, removes news induced anxiety. Freeing you instead to a place of rest and peace, where you view events through the lens of Scripture rather than fear.

Reflection:

What is your biggest struggle when it comes to reading news headlines?

What one step can you take today, to begin to trust God as you read the news headlines?