5 Things to do When the Headlines are too Much
by Amy Smathers
We can easily feel hopeless and overwhelmed when we look at today’s headlines. Just as the world is coming out of the COVID pandemic, we see crises, shootings, devastation, and wars at home and abroad in the news nearly every day.
Here are a few practical steps we can take this season to respond to the needs we see around us:
1. Keep a global perspective.
Members of the early Church were deeply in sync with how God was moving in communities far away from their own. We see this throughout Paul’s letters as he writes to churches that were hundreds of miles apart, yet he urged them to remain united in Christ. As believers today, our awareness of the struggles and challenges faced by believers globally will strengthen our prayer life and resolve to see the Gospel shared to the ends of the earth. Rather than seeing “church” as strictly local, consider that your own parish is part of the global Church consisting of over 2.5 billion believers! Open up a map and remember “he’s got the whole world in his hands”
2. Create a prayer list.
The most powerful weapon that we have is intercessory prayer. We may never get to walk through the slums of India or the marketplaces of Uganda, but our prayers for women and communities there can move mountains. Commit to praying daily or weekly, and invite your friends or small group to join.
Pray for women to hear the Gospel and for those in vulnerable situations such as human trafficking and domestic violence to find freedom and support. If you want to learn more about specific ways to pray, the organization Operation World sends a daily prayer for a different country each day, including information on global missions work there.
3. Commit to making a Kingdom investment.
If you want to donate financial resources but you’re not sure if an organization is legitimate, websites like Charity Navigator offer a transparency rating and can help you see their impact.
Cash donations have a great impact in global humanitarian efforts. This is especially true in the wake of natural disasters like earthquakes or hurricanes. Sending cash allows first responders to meet needs on the ground in real time while also supporting the local economies of the countries they are serving.
4. Ask God how you can serve.
We all have unique Kingdom gifts that we can use to serve others. The opportunities to offer non-monetary contributions, including your time, are endless, from participating in a local food drive to joining A21’s annual Walk for Freedom. Humanitarian organizations such as Save the Children, Oxfam, and UNICEF even offer remote volunteering opportunities, such as language translation. Whether you’re a student, stay-at-home mom, or CEO, there’s countless ways to serve right where you are.
5. Put your ultimate hope in Christ.
Scripture reminds us, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms'' (Ephesians 6:12).
The biggest battles we face today are spiritual ones that require a move of the Holy Spirit. We must first trust Him to move in us and in the world before we step in. As we do, He promises us in John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Today’s headlines are daunting, but we as the body of believers are the answer.
The Kingdom needs your unique gifts, talents, time, and treasure. Let’s choose to take heart and come together as the body of Christ that meets the world’s needs.
AMY SMATHERS
Amy Smathers is passionate about seeing women walk freely in their identity in Christ and advocating for biblical justice issues, from human trafficking to global poverty. Combining her foreign policy experience in Washington D.C. and passion for ministry, she founded The Well Initiative, an organization created to equip and mobilize the Church to support vulnerable women around the world. She currently resides with her husband in Dallas.
