I’m someone who likes to be informed. I think it is important to know what is happening in my town, across the country and around the world. Sometimes, however, enough is enough! There seems to be a plethora of bad news making the headlines…and sidelines these days. I’ve noticed that as I read (and re-read) the news my mood plummets until the joy I woke up with is overshadowed by a dark and depressing pall. And that is not a healthy thing to allow.

Now, I’m not going to suggest that we keep our heads in the sand, oblivious to the importance of world events. It is wise to be aware of the challenges of the day – to be prepared, to help, and to pray. But, I am going to say that for me, I need to limit my exposure.

Have you noticed the trend of putting extremely eye-catching or even shockingly intriguing links to stories in the sidebar of most news sites? One click takes us to a new, depressing article, which leads us to another and then another. Before we know it an hour has passed and we are miles down the rabbit trail, lost in a labyrinth of discouraging and dismal events.

I call those links “click-bait” and they tend to pull me away from the beauty of today and all the good God is doing in our world. When allowing myself to head down that path I become distracted, discouraged and negative, which is exactly what our enemy wants. When we are discouraged, we feel hopeless and are less productive for God…and I certainly don’t want that!

In Philippians 4:8, Paul instructs us to “Fix (our) thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” What occupies our minds will determine our outlook and actions. As I seek to live fully in 2016, I want my outlook to be positive and full of hope, one that shines Christ’s love. I want to be a beacon of light rather than a person who exudes gloom and doom.

And so, I am choosing to focus on all that is good, praising God for His greatness and shining for Him.

Living fully,

Joan

And now it's time for the Sharing His Beauty Link Up!



Where has God shown you His beauty this week? Please join me to share the blessing that God is to you in your life. Write a post on your own blog and then simply click on the "You're Next" linky below and enter your blog information. You can find more information about Sharing His Beauty by clicking the tab in my top menu.

You can also Tweet your participation by clicking here: #Sharinghisbeauty

I'd also love to hear from you in the comment section of my blog! You may leave a comment on this post to tell of the beauty you have found in His hands. Be sure to visit some of the other inspirational sites linked up and be encouraged today!

33 Comments

  1. Joan...What a sweet post reminding us to always seek the goodness of God in all things. Thank for that and for hosting. :-)

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    1. I'm glad you're here, Naomi! When I look to God and all things good, I feel so much better. I know He'll keep me on the right track as I follow Him!

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  2. Good Monday morning, Joan!! I could so relate to your blog post! There is only so much bad news I can listen to. When I visit my mom(just about every or every other day) she has Fox News on constantly and I have come to ask her to change the channel or turn it down at least when I am there. I truly can't understand how she watches it all the time and it doesn't drive her crazy! Anyway, I also try to focus on the goodness of our Lord and His attributes! Thanks for sharing and hosting your link-up. Have a blessed week, my friend! Ann

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    1. Moderation, right? By avoiding the "click-bait" I am in a much better mood and am able to handle the things God places before me. I am so much more productive when I'm not distracted by a constant barrage of negative things.

      Have a great day, Ann!

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  3. Ha! Click bait! Great term, and great warning implied here in how we spend our time and where we expend our emotional energy.

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    1. I've also heard the term extended to those, not necessarily negative, but sensational articles which lead us to ads, etc. ("Click here and you won't believe what happened to her...") I agree, it is so important to be careful how we spend our time and not pour out all our energy in areas where we need not be. Focusing on God and all that is good is much more positive and productive!

      Blessings, Joan

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    2. Joan, Looking for your badge in the sidebar and not finding it . . . can you point me in a direction?

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    3. Hi Michele! So sorry about that -- when I did the redecorating of my site, I didn't put it back up (yet)! I'll figure out a place to put it (most likely in the footer area) and get it up there sometime today! Thanks for the reminder!

      Blessings, Joan

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    4. Ok, Michele! You should be able to find it now. I added a page to the links in my side bar entitled, "Buttons & Widgets". On that page you'll find my two current buttons! :)

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  4. Oh my some days I am on that bunny rabbit trail, and not doing what I set out to do. Thanks for the great reminder.

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    1. It is so easy to get distracted! But, I'm determined to stay focused in 2016! Thanks for stopping by!

      Blessings, Joan

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  5. I agree, there is far too much "click-bait" out there, and it's easy to get pulled into the eye-catchy, depressing stuff. Thanks for the reminder to not fall into the trap of writing about the negative, just because it can be popular to do so. And for the even more important reminder to keep our eyes on Christ.

    Thanks for the opportunity to share and connect with other people who are adding beauty to our world. Wishing you a blessed week!

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    1. I so agree, Jed! I need to be careful not to get tempted by all of that as I want to stay positive and keep my eyes focused on Christ! Thanks for linking up!

      Blessings, Joan

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  6. Great post, term, ("click bait") and illustration, Joan! I so agree. And one of the things that I think makes the click bait so enticing is that when I get to the news sites, I find very little actual news on important happenings and issues published there. The click bait draws me to fill up the vacuum left by lack of real information. I'm also limiting my exposure to the whole business more again, after having gotten caught in that little trap and its resultant depression a bit too much myself lately.

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    1. I've noticed that as well. It is as if the headline is the "news" but clicking it takes us to a fluff piece with a lot of surrounding ads. Maybe that is the real reason the site tries to redirect us. Anyway, that vacuum left needs to be filled with good things, things of God rather than the cloud that tend to fall. I'm so glad to stay focused!!

      Blessings, Joan

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  7. Hi Joan!
    You are so right on target with this post! I love the phrase "click-bait". That is perfect! Phil. 4:8 is a perfect response! Enjoyed this today!

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    1. Thanks, Pam! It's so easy to get sidetracked and pulled away from where God wants us to focus. But, with practice (and prayer!) we can do it!

      Blessings, Joan

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  8. I'm learning to not take the "click-bait" and be more discerning - also to limit myself on how much world news I consume. I think of it like all those chefs who only try and morsel of their food and then spit it out? Keeps them healthier. I then carefully try to take my focus off the news and keep it on God once I walk away from the news source! Thanks for keeping me focused!

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    1. That is so wise. I love your example of the chefs! I think trying a little morsel and spitting out the extra is a great way to look at it!

      Blessings, Joan

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  9. Click-bait - perfect! I have found myself getting suckered in sometimes, and yes, it's a downward maelstrom! I have also found the urge to click can get us places we don't want to go. I once got snagged by a phishing scam!

    We need to be careful what we read, for it will find its way into our hearts!

    This week I am finding God's beauty in how He helps me negotiate the *boulders* of trouble that come into my life!

    GOD BLESS!

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    1. You are so right! We need to be careful what we read. I'm reminded of the old saying "garbage in, garbage out"! I want to stay away from the dump!

      Blessings, Joan

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  10. Click-bait-perfect phrase. I am a self-professed ignoramus. I neither watch tv nor read the newspaper. I live in a bubble and I really on my husband to tell me the news. Probably not healthy, but click-bait can really be anywhere and anything that takes us away onto otherwise unhealthy paths. Great post, Joan.

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    1. Avoiding what could potentially take us down unhealthy paths is wise. I'm finding that I'm already feeling better by limiting my exposure to the "click bait" and I've only been focusing on doing that for a couple of weeks!

      Blessings, Joan

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  11. You are so right, Joan! It is so easy to run down that rabbit hole! We need to have the self-discipline to take our minds off that when it is time and refuel ourselves with thoughts of all the good of the Lord. Thank you for hosting this link up each week and for sharing your beautiful heart!
    Blessings and smiles,
    Lori

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    1. ...and it feels so right to refuel, doesn't it? So often in our busy lives we miss that, especially when we are distracted!

      Blessings, Joan

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  12. I've fallen victim to the allure of those enticing stories too but when there I found ads I couldn't really look at and more articles that were progressively more despicable. My computer guru husband told me also that those sites often put a hook or cookie on your computer that will open the door for all kinds of "stuff" you don't want so I've learned to not click on them. While I don't think we should live in a bubble I want to feed my mind with good things. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Yes, it is amazing how the cookies work - creepy actually! When I have searched for something on Google, for example, I notice ads about similar things at each site I go to for weeks! Ugh.

      It's a good thing that when I resist following the links and focus on God, I am well nourished!

      Blessings, Joan

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  13. I'm all about focusing more on the good! Thanks for the encouragement to continue in that direction.

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    1. Yes, when we focus on what is good, we can't help but be encouraged!

      Blessings, Joan

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  14. Focusing along with you. God is so good. But those click baits? Welll..... Visiting today via #intentionalTuesday.

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    1. Hi Kristi! Thanks for stopping by from #intentionalTuesday! I love meeting new people! And yes...God is so good - ALL THE TIME!

      Blessings, Joan

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  15. I'm with you, friend. We rarely watch the news these days. I do a little scroll of the newsfeeds on Twitter once a day to make sure that I haven't missed anything significant, and the 140 word tweet helps me to miss a lot of the "Jerry Springer" aspects of the long broadcasts. -- From time to time, Bruce may decide to turn on a new show if there is something news worthy happening, but we usually turn it off after about 15 minutes. It's so hard to find any programming that is not of the "shock and awe" genre.

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    1. I know what you mean...the news/media has turned into a "shock and awe" game. Gone are the days of informative, fair news articles. Well, maybe there are still some sites with true integrity, but they are hard to find! I like your idea of checking the newsfeed on Twitter in order to keep it short and sweet!

      Thanks for stopping by my friend!

      Blessings, Joan

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