First aid in case of acute news poisoning

“The simple believe anything, but the prudent give thought to their steps.” (Proverbs 14:15). Whatever you say, there is power in the news. If given the opportunity, they will be able to capture all of our attention, consciousness, and feelings. The news knows how to inspire and oppress, give an energy surge and bring deterrence. They can fill the mind with the necessary information or the unnecessary; open your eyes and mislead; direct and disorient.

Modern mass media are masters at shaping and changing the worldview, inciting emotions, providing people with the glasses through which they perceive life “independently”.

It is a pity that many people still perceive the media as a source of information. But they have long since ceased to exist this way. If not all, then at least many.

It is sad and pathetic to see Christians who, who instead of sadness, are full of gloating-pleasure that is destroying relationships, instead of empathizing. Piercing words instead of prayers, unnecessary words instead of tactful silence.

I understand people’s emotions when their world order, life collapses and everything around them suddenly changes. The words written in the hurry and the feelings and pain that others do not understand can be explained at least.

It’s hard to understand those who also write in a hurry and full of emotions, yet live thousands of miles away from events where news stories are forged, perceive the world through the diagonal of the TV screen and reality through articles and thoughts from their favorite sites.

“I saw it myself,” says the viewer.
“I know,” says the internet user.
“I know all about it!” exclaims the reader of the daily.

They know everything and are outraged or conversely, happy; frustrated or joyful…

Now the bustling feelings are pushing the next Chinese dominoes and the emotions are erupting in the comments, notes and reviews. Someone is angry. And the rest read these news texts and react emotionally and passionately again.

If this is your condition and the news has taken hold of you, consider the following:

The news may not be true. Journalists do not provide information, but present material that has been processed and checked. Therefore, only “the simple-minded believes every word.”

– If the message is important, be critical and take the time to check it out. Control what you read, watch and listen to. Forget quotes – see sources. Discard the cut scenes – find the whole plot. One-sided presentation of information is a sign of its unreliability.

Don’t try to keep up with all the information. The news is like a river that never stops. Undoubtedly, the forces of the bubbling water of a noisy waterfall are enchanting and you can watch it endlessly, but you can also die in it! Decide that some of the events will pass you by: you won’t be able to watch everything!

– Decide what time you’re watching the news and how many minutes a day you’re ready to set aside for that. Try to dedicate the rest of the time to other problems.

– Save your heart and feelings so as not to “boil over” with the news. If it’s too late and you find yourself emotionally addicted to the news feed, decide to take a break, the “Information Sabbath.” Turn off the TV, sign out of news sites and social media. I hope you didn’t have withdrawal symptoms? If they still started, you should take a break for more than two days.

Decide that everything on earth is temporary. What is happening today could easily change tomorrow. The people shout “Hosanna!” and then “Crucify!” and after, “What can we do to be saved?”

So take the momentum, look at news more calmly, worry less and pray more.

May God make us His peacemakers, not victims or instigators of hatred!

Denis Podorozhny,

www.domnascale.org

baznica.info

Source: https://ieshua.org/pervaya-pomoshh-pri-ostrom-otravlenii-novostyami.htm

 

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