Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

Rashional Thoughts: Constant build up of frustration unhealthy; seek to moderate intake

  • May 27, 2021
  • Jennifer Davis Rash
  • Editorials by Jennifer Rash, Featured, Latest News, Opinion, Rashional Thoughts

Rashional Thoughts: Constant build up of frustration unhealthy; seek to moderate intake

Several friends who are pastors help keep me grounded when I let the constant swirl of debates taking place within the ranks of the Southern Baptist Convention — and all around us in society on any given day — engulf me.

A quick conversation with one of them and a few minutes scrolling on Facebook remind me of all the life moments taking place at any given time.

Some friends are celebrating, while others are walking a painful journey. Some are numb from the news they just received; others are wondering how they are going to make it another day.

It’s always humbling when I realize I’ve gotten caught up in something that, while important and needs appropriate attention, is not the be-all and end-all of most people’s worlds day in and day out.

“I’m just keeping my head down and trying to take care of my people,” one pastor friend said. “There’s plenty to keep my attention here. I don’t have time to worry about all the back and forth arguments taking place.”

“I used to spend a lot of time reading leadership books and absorbing everything I could on how to be a strong leader, but then I finally realized that what I need to focus on is loving the people in my congregation. Everything else will work itself out,” another pastor friend said.

“I don’t know who to trust anymore, and I don’t like all the ugliness, so I don’t read or listen to any of it anymore,” another friend noted.

“I purposefully don’t engage in social media, and I don’t watch TV news … but I do read The Alabama Baptist each week and my family alerts me to anything else I need to know,” one pastor shared. “I also can sleep peacefully at night,” he added.

Another friend in ministry shared how her tender heart becomes anxious when listening to commentators’ raised voices discussing the latest happenings in the world.

Thinking on how to protect her heart and ultimately her ability to care for those around her, she developed a plan to stay informed.

She reads her news rather than listens to it, and she asks her husband to share a brief summary of what he knows of the day’s top news items — just the facts with no drama tossed in.

The 24-hour news cycle allows all of us to stay informed up to the minute and provides countless benefits.

But as with any overindulgence, it can become detrimental if we aren’t careful to learn how to moderate our intake.

Becoming obsessed with any particular debate, organization, group of people or high-profile personality distracts us from the people and situations within our reach on a daily basis.

God has granted each of us opportunities — and family and friends — for which we are responsible in some way.

He expects us to be good stewards of the assignments He has for us; and we can only fulfill our role if we allow Him to fill our hearts and souls first, rather than the unending frustrations of the world.

Read Tips for leading the way toward genuine engagement.

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Florida state convention preps for potential reallocation of CP funds, calls for kinder interactions
    Florida state convention preps for potential reallocation of CP funds, calls for kinder interactions
    March 31, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • 5 ways to reach out to immigrants in your community
    5 ways to reach out to immigrants in your community
    March 31, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Study: Should churches ‘count’ online attendance?
    Study: Should churches ‘count’ online attendance?
    March 31, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Florida state convention preps for potential reallocation of CP funds, calls for kinder interactions

The relationship Southern Baptists have with the investigative firm Guidepost Solutions continues to draw mixed reactions across the denomination. Some continue working through the issues

5 ways to reach out to immigrants in your community

Some churches are partnering with immigrant groups for ministry purposes, others are looking to reach immigrant groups within their surrounding areas. Here are some basic

person in red and black plaid long sleeve shirt using black laptop computer

Study: Should churches ‘count’ online attendance?

With the rise in online church services, many have different opinions on the acceptability or validity of online church attendance for those with the ability

New Bible study for women designed to ‘unpack different prayers in Scripture’

This spring, Lifeway Women is releasing the Bible study “When You Pray: A Study of Six Prayers in the Bible” to equip women with a

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel