When I was younger, it seemed that older people spent excessive time reading the news and arguing with anyone within earshot about their political views and world events. Those that didn’t simply lacked a loud voice about such things, so naturally, to young ears like mine, the voices heard were those obsessed with the news.

Now that I am older, I avoid talking and debating about the daily news headlines at all costs, and this among increasingly outspoken voices of many Christians through social media, conservative and liberal news outlets, and, sadly, in many churches. However, I am not entirely blameless in this matter. The turmoil in our country and around the world offers daily temptation, with an increasing interest in the news about the conflicting politics in the U.S., the moral distortions of our culture, the war in Ukraine and especially in Israel, the economy, the immigration crises, the warnings about an impending pandemic that will put COVID to shame, insanity over gender and transgender issues, and the list goes on.

Must I keep up with it all to stay current, be conversant, and to know what I believe, so that I can pray better? Is that really my goal? Or is it more obsession? Do I really need to be consumed and upset to the point of disturbing my spiritual equilibrium?

Yes, there needs to be experts studying dangerous diseases and even labs to investigate and test cures for deadly viruses. But those experts must be very, very careful that they don’t become affected by the very thing they are trying to eradicate. In the same way, there needs to be well-versed, competent Christians who can study our world’s cultures, politics, and philosophies. However, such mental involvement can have its downside, being hazardous to our spiritual well-being.

How so? Obsession with the daily news can result in a spiritual pall, dulling our sensitivity to the Holy Spirit. Spiritual depression is an apt term for this, a sense of being overwhelmed that dulls our prayers and enthusiasm for life as God designed it. After all, the Scripture is very clear, in the words of Jesus, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10).

Preoccupation with the daily news can leave us feeling spiritually impotent, or falsely prophetic as we overuse the soapbox for our diatribes. It can stunt our conversations, where we talk more about our frustrations with the decay around us than speaking of the hope that is in us.

The Bible speaks directly to this struggle. While the apostle Peter addressed the difficulties faced by persecuted believers in his day, the Scripture speaks just as poignantly to us today:

But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled, but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; (1 Peter 3:14–15)

No matter what is happening in our country and world, we must not be intimidated or troubled by it. We are citizens of the kingdom of God and are on assignment as ambassadors of Christ. Our earthly nation is not our home! We are to make a difference here by spreading the hope of Jesus Christ, which is the only solid reference point for life.

So, while we should be conversant about what is going on in our world, we should be more conversant in speaking hope into our world. We ought to limit our time with online news, political blog posts, and podcasts. Spend more time with people who do not yet have hope, both unbelievers who have no hope, and believers who have minimized that hope by their infatuation with the news. I speak first to myself, not in judgment of others.

Lord, let my words and conversation reflect the “hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast …” (Heb. 6:19)