Living the Headlines

Hearts exposed

Narrative

Idols

For the past few months, I’ve woken up, looked outside, and wondered what the day would bring. I start out hopeful; full of sunshine. By the end of the day, I would find myself exhausted. You, too?

I started taking account of my day. What was making me so tired? I knew a lot of my exhaustion had to do with the nature of the season we were in. But, there was something else.

I was living the headlines.

“I don’t watch the news.” I’ve said this. I’ve heard many friends say it. The TV isn’t on in our house at all until after dinner. The boys will sometimes watch something then. Scott and I usually watch one show a night. Right now, we’re watching Seinfeld. So, it baffled me that even though the TV is not on in our house and we steer clear of the news, how was I living the headlines.

Social Media.

An innocent scroll led to a barrage of information. Everyone suddenly became an expert on everything. And very opinionated, to say the least. The headlines found me and I started living them.

"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth." John 17:17

'Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.' John 14:6

My truth became distorted. I started down a path towards a truth that fit my narrative. It was incredible how quickly it happened. And I didn’t even realize it.

It wasn’t until my husband told me I hadn’t smiled in a few days did I realize something was wrong with me. I stopped living the Truth and started living the truth of the headlines.

Fear. Panic. Unrest. Hopelessness. Distrust. Anxiety. Doubt.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, endurance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23

I promised you I would be transparent and honest. Here I am. I know the Truth. I know Jesus. And yet, I was easily swept up in the narrative of our day. I knew better. I know true peace. I know where I stand and where victory resides. However, I was still swayed but the cries of our culture. Maybe you find yourself there, too.

It’s time to stop living the headlines and start living your life. The truth isn’t the narrative the world is spewing at you. How do I know? Because it isn’t full of love, joy, peace, endurance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).