It’s a noisy, noisy world

Be still and know that I am God – Psalm 46:10

There are days when the volume of news and information that streams into our lives seems overwhelming. Times, when the best way to slow it down, seems to be turning off the television; logging out of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media sites; and shutting off our computers, phones, and tablets. Even then, we may still feel the effects. Anxiety. Sadness. Stress. Confusion over what is happening in the world and why.

The collective impact of multiple sources coming at you so quickly that there isn’t time to process or absorb information can be overwhelming. I suspect many are experiencing overload as the Kavanaugh hearings have collided with the most recent news about abuse in the Catholic church, the tsunami in Indonesia, the President’s address before the U.N. Assembly and other current events that impact the world we live in. The number of stories, however, pales in comparison to the number of sources we receive news from. I consider the number of articles that fill my RSS feed…often the same story covered by different media outlets…all with their own perspective and, in some cases, extreme bias.

With all these conflicting views, it’s hard to know if, when and how we should enter discussions. Will we say the right things? Will our facts be called into question? Will we make our friends angry? Will we be ridiculed? Will we be labeled? These questions — let alone the content of the news — can be exhausting, especially if we apply them to every social setting we encounter, whether it be online or in person.

Feeling overwhelmed or fatigued by the news? The exercise of completing a daily information journal can create awareness about your habits and shine a light on why. The ability to shut down entirely is hard, so we need to be intentional and thoughtful about doing it.

Our minds need rest. Our souls need rest.

One of the strategies I’ve employed is postponing and limiting my engagement with media after first waking up in the morning and before going to bed at night. In preparing for and spending time in daily prayer and devotions, I keep technology at a distance and go old school. A cup of coffee, my Bible or devotional guide, and a pencil.

So, I challenge you to turn off the noise. Practice being still. Create those quiet moments to be alone with God and fully experience His presence.