“Tornadic – 1. relating to the nature of a tornado   2. characterized by violent or devastating action or emotion. ” Oxford Languages

It’s been two weeks since the beginning of the year, and I feel like my mind has been assaulted by tornadic news casts. I turn on the news, and I hear about: Venezuela, Maduro, Greenland, Denmark, Iran, and Ukraine on the international front.  That is followed by news on the national front:  Minnesota, ICE, New York, Congress, the Supreme Court, etc. By the end of the newscast, my head is spinning. How about you?

Just as there is a warning before every real tornado, there should be a warning before each tornadic newscast. First, there should be several loud beeps to bring you to attention, and then the warning: 

Tornadic Newscast Approaching….International Supercells (Venezuela, Greenland, Iran and Greenland) will be colliding with National Unstable Situations (Minnesota, ICE, Congress, the Supreme Court).  These conditions will continue for an indeterminate period of time.

Recommendation: Take shelter and do not overexpose yourself, lest you be hit by flying debris. Those suffering from enlarged heart conditions will likely experience compassion fatigue, and those with mental conditions, such as logical thinkers, will have an inability to process all of the information in a linear manner. Those with integrity who are searching for the truth in each story will have difficulty finding it due to biased reporting and AI deepfakes.

Of course, we know that no such warning will be happening any time soon, so may I make a few suggestions to help keep a sane mind and a level head during such a time as this? First, do not saturate your mind with the news; it is a well of negativity. Second, pick a few subjects you are truly interested in and stay informed about them. Let the rest go. Third, give your mind a break. Go on a news fast one or two days a week to cleanse it from all of the negativity. Spend more time in prayer about the issues that are of concern. You will be surprised how fast your peace will return, and you will have a better perspective on the events of the day. And last, some helpful words from the word, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Photo by Willgard Krause. Courtesy of Pixabay