How Goes It With Your Soul

Many people reading this blog will remember the enormously popular radio commentator, Paul Harvey. Harvey had a segment of his radio broadcasts called “The Rest of the Story.” He would always begin with this line, “You know what the news is. But in a minute, you will hear the rest of the story.”

In these days of wall-to-wall breaking news coverage and bulletins hitting our cell phones at all hours, we surely know what the news is. We also know several other things about the news.

It is overwhelmingly bad. 

It is breaking news which breaks the heart, often overwhelms our spirits with despair, and all too frequently generates an angry response. 

We also know that the news which floods the airwaves or electronically begs us to look at a news bulletin on the I-Phone or similar device in the palm of our hand has at least one universal characteristic. WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!

Many will suggest that we can offer prayers. Yes. We can send money to a Go Fund Me Account or to a relief organization on scene. Yes. We can write a strong letter or email to our representative. Yes. We can do these things.

But, particularly in the case of writing a letter to our representative who likely has long since not cared very much about responding to a voice not shoring up his or her base, WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!

In these days when we know what the news is, what we must do is practice disciplines of self-care. This is not a selfish activity. Considering all the enormous and unrelenting bad news that we know about, practicing disciplines of self-care is critically important to our spiritual and mental health.

Here are some suggestions for WHAT WE CAN DO!

1. Turn off news shows and commentary an hour before going to bed!
2. Make time for a glass of wine or a Diet Coke accompanied by heart enriching music.
3. Open your playlist. Sing along LOUDLY with The Village People, “Y.M.C.A.”. Follow this with Huey Lewis and the News, “The Power of Love.” Then, the theme song from the TV Series, Cheers “Where Everybody Knows Your Name.” Finally, join in affirming with Louis Armstrong that it is a “Wonderful World.” REPEAT AS NEEDED.
4. Continue participating in and supporting local groups of people helping others.
5. Daily ponder and meditate on these things:
   • “For surely I know the plans I have for you…plans for your welfare and not for harm; to give you a future with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
   • “He has told you, O Mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)
   • “For his anger is but for a moment; his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may linger for the night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)
   • “Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
   • “Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” (Philippians 2:30)

In doing these things we will come to experience some really good news. Namely, that it is well with my soul.